Bedroom tax fury sparks Valleys petition (From Campaign Series)

Islwyn and Caerphilly MPs join forces over bedroom tax petition

2:10pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

A PETITION has been launched after figures show that more than 1,000 people in Islwyn will be hit by the government’s bedroom tax.

As many as 1,197 people in Islwyn are set to lose out under the plans, and now MP for Islwyn Chris Evans has joined forces with Caerphilly MP Wayne David and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP Dai Havard to launch a petition protesting against the changes.

Under the reforms coming to the UK, from April 2014 if you are assessed as having at least one extra bedroom in your house your housing benefit will be reduced.

This will mean a 14 per cent cut if you have one extra bedroom and a 25 per cent cut if you have two or more extra bedrooms.

The petition, signed by residents from across the Caerphilly borough, will be presented to the House of Commons on March 20.

Mr Evans said: “These new figures prove just how many households in Islwyn face losing their homes thanks to these changes.

“That is why I am teaming up with MPs from across the Caerphilly borough to protest against these unfair and ill-thought-out plans.

“There will be a high number of council tenants affected in areas like Crumlin, Newbridge and Pengam, and it is in communities like these where the impact of these changes will really be felt.”