pensioners and bedroom tax

Lilygran, No. Just skip what you cant be bothered to read.

Have a look here - it looks like things might be even worse than I thought.

(And if you do, check out comments by Joe Halewood. I only stumbled across his blogs and comments last week, but he seems to have his finger on the pulse and makes some excellent observations. Personally, I will be following his comments on that page with great interest, because he is great at analysing what has been said, and explaining what it actually means.)

Oops - I forgot to add the link:

www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/67000-pensioners-to-be-hit-by-bedroom-tax/6525753.article

My view is it is OK for me to live on my own in a 4 bedroom detatched house as it is a private house but if it is provided by the council I think as a taxpayer a single person on benefits should only have a 1 bedroom property.

Frank

I don't think it's fair, depending on individual circumstances, some will require more than one bedroom for a multitude of different reasons it's just going to go down as punitive and petty like most unfair taxes. Although I do wonder why someone like Bob Crow has to occupy a local authority house given his annual salary is allegedly around £140,000, high earners should not be occupying homes that could be offered to families on low incomes.

Hi Bananas

I do agree some situations have to be looked at.
There was a story in my local newspaper about a council household having a combined income of £100 k a year.
What had happened was there were 3 sons with good jobs who were in their early 20's.
I don't think the son's income could be counted as they are likely to leave at some point and get their own homes.
I think they have got to be allowed to stay in that council house to give them a chance to save and possibly buy a house in the future.

Frank

But we do also have to think about all the families without anywhere to live. It must be very hard for them living in overcrowded B&Bs or small flats to see others with more than enough accommodation. I am so glad I don't have to make those decisions.

Hi Movedalot

Are your comments directed at people with private homes or just ones with social housing?.

Frank

I totally agree BAnanas it is grossly unfair that someone with such high earnings should be allowed to occupy social housing. Wasn't there a story recently involving one of Mick Jaggers children occupying a council flat?

Hi gillybob

Mick Jagger can not be forced to support his children.
There have been situations where parents have been in council houses and the children have become hospital consultants etc earning very high salary's.
Would you say those children should be forced to buy their parents private houses?.

Frank

Hunter I was talking about social housing as it is subsidised by the taxpayer.