THE BEDROOM TAX – IS IT FAIR? Mention the words “bedroom tax” in conversation and the responses range from firsthand accounts of people being evicted from their homes to newly bereaved pensioners faced with the prospect of losing their homes because they can’t afford the rent. You can’t fail to have heard horror stories of desperate pensioners such as Stephanie Bottrill feeling suicide to be the only way out (DAILY MAIL, 2013) or a middle aged man “sick of all this shit...” slitting his throat in a benefit advice office. (DAILY MAIL JULY 2013) Is it fair to persecute the most vulnerable members of society? That all depends on how you define fair. The bedroom tax, or under-occupancy charge as the government prefers it to be known, was designed to bring tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit (HB) in social housing into line with those living in private rented accommodation. From 1 April 2013, if you are a social housing tenant of working age receiving HB, and renting a home with more bedrooms than you need, your HB is reduced by 14% for one “spare” bedroom and 25% for two or more. (NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL, 2013) The power to reduce HB in this way is contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 - quite possibly one of the most unpopular and controversial pieces of legislation introduced by the Conservative led coalition government. It should be noted that the regulations do not define what a bedroom is, nor its size. Rumours abounded on various social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter that rooms under 70 square feet didn’t constitute a bedroom but this was a misconception based on an incorrect interpretation of overcrowding under the HOUSING ACT 1985. The government says the bedroom tax is all about fairness; th... ... middle of paper ... ... . 2014. BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 08/03/2013 . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r12ls. [Accessed 08 January 2014]. Krishnan Guru-Murthy Channel 4 News. (2013). Bedroom tax debate: Liam Byrne and Nigel Mills - video. [Online Video]. 06 February. Available from: http://www.channel4.com/news/bedroom-tax-debate-liam-byrne-and-nigel-mills-video. [Accessed: 08 January 2014]. Michael Crick, Channel 4 News. (2013). Government majority cut in 'bedroom tax' debate. [Online Video]. 12 November 2013. Available from: http://www.channel4.com/news/bedroom-tax-labour-lib-dems-vote-commons. [Accessed: 08 January 2014]. Matt Frei, Channel 4 News. (2013). http://www.channel4.com/news/bedroom-tax-shapps-un-tory-video. [Online Video]. 11 September 2013. Available from: http://www.channel4.com/news/bedroom-tax-shapps-un-tory-video. [Accessed: 08 January 2014].
To What Extent has the Bedroom Tax Affected People Britain is currently undergoing the biggest overhaul of the welfare system since its introduction. The welfare system was first established with the assurance that people less fortunate would be able to have a standard of living that would ensure equality. But the recent amendments brought into place by the current government’s legislations may see the biggest divide between rich and poor since the days of the work houses. How will claimants be affected and who will be affected the most is an issue that will be examined more closely.
"Roe v. Wade in PBS' The Supreme Court." YouTube. YouTube, 1 Dec. 2008. Web. 10 May 2014. .
This moves away from the ‘traditional’ definition of homelessness, which can be referred to as primary homelessness, or homeless without shelter. A broader definition is now considered, which also includes secondary homelessness, moving frequently between forms of temporary accommodation, and tertiary homeless ness, living long term in accommodation that falls below community standards for housing (Chamberlain & MacKenzie 2008). The inclusion of varying types of homelessness highlights the understanding of homelessness to be considered without a ‘home’, not just without a ‘roof’ (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011).
"Political leaders ." Elizabeth Dole on the issues. ontheissueseverypoliticalleadeontheissues, n.d. Web. 25 May 2011. .
...10) K101 An introduction to health and social care, Unit 4, 'Developing Care Relationships', Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Young, Alan. "The state is still in the bedrooms of the nation: the control and regulation of sexuality in Canadian criminal law." The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 17.4 (2008).
laws. I wish that they would let these people sleep on the floor or something
House prices have been affected by the number of people who buy houses to rent out and this has had an impact on younger people wanting to buy homes. Thus, the term ‘generation rent’ has come to the forefront in recent years. In A Century of Home-ownership and Renting (The Open University, 2016) census data presented supports the claim for the use of this term. In the video, they mention levels of home-ownership dropped for the first time since records began. From 69% to 64% in the space of 10 years and the percentage of households privately renting has been on the rise. 11% in 1981 compared to 18% in 2011. In addition, house prices have risen faster than previous years and banks have also restricted lending. These factors have all lead to more people not being able to afford a home of their own, especially at a younger age. So, as house prices rise this benefits the home-owners and allows them to gain more wealth and capital. The distribution of wealth has been affected by changes in these markets. There is evidence to support this claim. Table 3.5 (Investigating the social world 1, chapter 3, p. 96) shows wealth distribution in Great Britain from 2000 and 2005. The table shows results for housing wealth distribution amongst other things. It’s important to look at the look at the lowest and highest percentiles to look at any
Christian Science Monitor. “In Britain, a decline in sperm donors; Anonymous no longer, most say they want to help infertile couples, not just earn extra cash." Christian Science Monitor 30 Dec. 2005: 07. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
‘The Redfern Address’ is a text that explores the development of belonging through connections to people and communities.
Miller, Claire Cain. “The Economic Benefits of Paid Parental Leave.” The New York Times. 30 January 2015.
The notion of overseeing welfare wasn’t always the case in the UK. Before this the ‘Poor Law’ was operated. (1598-1948) This consisted on a basis that the poor amongst society were essentially a problem of their own making and in turn needed to be punished because of this. ‘Those without jobs were lazy, feckless or in some other way delinquent’ (Coats: 34: 2012) Welfare was deemed to be a privilege, a goodwill gesture from the rich to the poor. Harsh living conditions and the punishments were seen as motivation for the poor to strive to improve their own lives.
the rent is set at a lower than normal level, an unsatisfied demand is created.
Howell, Tom, Jr. "Supreme Court to Decide Obamacare Birth Control Mandate." The Washington Times. Washington Times, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2014. .
Taylor, W, Et al, (2012), CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma, Children and Young People’s Workforce, Essex, Pearson Education Limited.