While the Scottish Government mitigates the impact of the bedroom tax across Scotland, 802 housing benefit claimants in South Lanarkshire are struggling to cope.

Following the publication of new figures published by the DWP, Christina McKelvie MSP has again called on the UK Government to immediately abolish this unfair charge. The SNP remains committed to abolishing the Bedroom Tax when new social security powers in the Scotland Bill are devolved.

The Scottish Government has now committed £90 million since the introduction of the Bedroom Tax to ensure it is fully mitigated in Scotland.

Commenting, Christina McKelvie MSP said:

“These figures highlight the shocking impact the Bedroom Tax is already having  in South Lanarkshire.

“While families in England and Wales continue to face iniquitous cuts, the SNP government has fully mitigated its impact in Scotland – something the Labour government in Wales has refused to do.

“The UK Government must recognise the impact of this hated levy on families across England and Wales and on public finances in Scotland. The simplest and fairest solution remains for the measure to be dropped by the DWP. 

“When he sets out his spending plans later this month, George Osborne should use this as an opportunity to protect the poorest and abolish the Bedroom Tax.”

The DWP figures can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/housing-benefit-caseload-statistics