Bedroom tax declared discriminatory

The government’s so-called bedroom tax has been ruled as discriminatory by Court of Appeal judges, following a legal challenge submitted in November.

The law was challenged by a domestic violence victim and the family of a disabled teenager, and contended that the spare room subsidy, which reduced housing benefit for social housing tenants with a ‘spare’ bedroom, was discriminatory.

One appeal was launched after concerns regarding the effect the policy had on women living in properties which had been adapted because of risks to their lives, such as those equipped with a panic room.

Another appeal was brought forward by a couple who were concerned about the impact of the policy on families with disabled children who required overnight care.

The changes to housing benefit were introduced in April 2013 and meant families who were claiming housing benefits were assessed for the number of bedrooms and those deemed to have too much living space were to receive reduced payments.

The government assured that the regulations were brought in to encourage people to move into smaller properties, potentially saving around £480 million per year from the Housing Benefit Bill.

The government has said it will appeal against the ruling.