The Government has dismissed talk of a climbdown over capping housing benefit, despite warnings that the policy will "cleanse" poor people from major cities.Sources close to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said he was "absolutely determined" to push through tough reforms.
The coalition has announced plans that would limit housing benefit at around £400 a week for a four-bedroom home, and cut payouts by 10% when people have been on jobseeker's allowance for more than a year.
So lets get this right. The ConDems are going to put around half a million of us out of work, and if they have their way, on around a 12 months payoff. Then, 12 months later, when we haven't been able to find a job, and have used the bulk of the the payoff to maintain life and limb and clear debts, they will then cut housing benefit by 10%? A tax on unemployment effectively! And this seems "fair" in which universe?
Of course, we are regailed with the unfairness of the amount of HB paid in respect of the unemployed, the disabled, the old, and sometimes a case can be made. But how does a cap of £400 pounds a week for a 4 bedroom family house play in the real world of the inner cities. For instance, in Fleetwood, not the most properous of towns, a two up two down un-furnished terraced house down the street costs £550 per month!
Even Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes is among those who have criticised the "draconian" proposals, saying ministers will have to "negotiate" to get parliamentary approval.
Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant told MPs on Tuesday that the cuts would lead to "cleansing" of the poor from areas with high rents, while some Conservative backbenchers with urban constituencies have also expressed concerns.
