Campaigners join protest against new bedroom tax (From Bury Times)

Campaigners join protest against new bedroom tax

9:57am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News

PEOPLE from across the borough have joined a campaign protesting against the introduction of the “bedroom tax”.

Petitions organised by campaign group Bury Against The Bedroom Tax already have hundreds of signatures from people calling on the Government to scrap it.

And a protest will be held at 1pm on Saturday in Market Street, near Bury Interchange, for people to voice their concerns, and they will carry an effigy of Prime Minister, David Cameron.

It comes after thousands of people took part in 52 protests around the country last weekend.

Organiser Adam Rose, of Pinfold Lane, Whitefield, said: “We are hoping that as many people as possible will turn up to protest against the bedroom tax.

“This is a tax increase on those people least able to pay at a time when millionaires have just had their tax cut. People affected will have to cut back on food and heating, fall into rent arrears or be forced out of their home. We are calling on the Government to withdraw this unfair tax and to build homes for people who need them.”

According to Bury Council, 589 of the borough’s households are set to see their housing benefits cut by a quarter from April 1 as they are “under occupied” by two or more bedroom.

A further 943 households will see their housing benefit by 14 per cent as they are “under occupied” by one bedroom.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “We have been working closely with landlords to help identify the affected tenants.”

It is part of a series of welfare reforms being made by the Government to save £18 billion.