Families hit by the ‘bedroom tax’ would have to foot a further £3,800 bill if the policy is continued over the next Parliament, figures suggest.
Research from the House of Commons Library suggests the sum would hit almost 500,000 families if the removal of the spare room subsidy is upheld following a Conservative General Election victory in May.
The policy reduces Housing Benefit for social tenants of working age thought to have more bedrooms than they require.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has pledged to scrap the ‘bedroom tax’ if he takes power following the election in three months’ time.
Labour’s shadow minister for welfare reform, Helen Goodman MP, said: ‘Hundreds of thousands of people will be forced to pay £3,800 under the “bedroom tax” if the Tories win again.
‘There aren’t enough smaller properties to move into, so people are left with no choice but to pay up leading to more debt and arrears. It is another example of Tory welfare waste. The “bedroom tax” is cruel and unfair and will be scrapped if Labour wins in May.’
The Department for Work and Pensions said: ‘Many people are downsizing, finding work or -increasing earnings. The policy will save more than £1bn.’
