Around two million people in over 650,000 households were hit by the Tories’ tax on social housing tenants’ spare bedrooms last week. Fewer than 1 percent of them have moved into smaller properties.
Most housing associations and councils are short of one bedroom homes. If everyone hit by the bedroom tax moved, then 96 percent of them would go into the private sector.
In many cases they would pay a higher rent for a smaller home. No wonder there is mass opposition.
Over 200 marched in Newcastle on Saturday of last week. There were also protests of over 100 in Huddersfield, Blackburn and Fife, and about 40 in Loughborough.
Local groups in the west of Scotland have linked up their campaigns in a federation. A summit for benefit justice in London on Saturday 11 May is a chance to do that across Britain.
Next Saturday UK Uncut has promised demonstrations at the homes of millionaire ministers. And the Labour Left has called a third national day of action on 20 April.
The Govan Law Centre in Glasgow is encouraging tenants to challenge their landlords’ decisions. Download their legal toolkit at bit.ly/YCBYM8.
Support 30 October day of action
Activists protested a proposed burqa ban in the Welsh parliament
Socialist Worker speaks to Just Stop Oil activist about what this means
One in six prison-leavers in London are released into homelessness
