David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s Bedroom Tax has cost thousands of low-income families an average of £1,260 since it was introduced in April 2013. The latest Government figures show around 500,000 people are being charged the Bedroom Tax, paying on average £14 a week. Two thirds (330,000) of those hit are disabled and 60,000 are carers.

The next Labour Government will repeal the Bedroom Tax. But hundreds of thousands of families affected by the Bedroom Tax can’t afford to wait that long. Labour has forced a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 December which could mean the Bedroom Tax is effectively abolished by Christmas.

Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said:

“The Bedroom Tax is costing low-income families over £1,200, deepening the cost-of-living crisis for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

“The Government’s own independent report into the Bedroom Tax found fewer than five per cent of people had moved to another home in the social rented sector and 60 per cent of people had fallen behind with their rent. The Bedroom Tax has failed - it’s yet another example of Tory Welfare Waste.

”I urge MPs from all parties to do the right thing and vote with Labour to scrap the Bedroom Tax in Parliament today. Thousands of people who are struggling to survive can’t afford to spend another Christmas paying this cruel and unfair tax on bedrooms.”