“A gross injustice and a callous, inhumane and immoral attack on the disadvantaged, disabled and poorest people in our society.”
That was how MP Lindsay Roy described the so-called bedroom tax when he spoke at a meeting held in the CISWO club, Glenrothes, to protest against the measure which came into effect.
The under-occupancy charge is part of a raft of changes to the benefits and tax system brought in by the UK Government and applies to people of working age who rent their home from a council or housing association and who are in receipt of housing benefit.
Social tenants will see their housing benefit cut if they are considered to live in a home with more bedrooms than they need. Those with one extra room will have their housing benefit cut by 14%, and those with two or more extra bedrooms will incur a 25% cut.
People such as foster carers and armed forces personnel who live at home are exempt and councils can make discretionary payments to other groups, for instance those with medical conditions, which make it impossible for them to share a bedroom.
The bedroom tax, as it has become known, has been condemned by opposition politicians and anti-poverty groups who claim that it will hit Britain’s poorest the hardest.
Mr Roy condemned the tax as “offensive and cruel”.
He said it not only penalised those least able to pay, but it came into effect at the same time the Tory-led coalition was introducing big tax breaks for millionaires.
The Glenrothes MP also slammed what he described as the Government’s “lax approach” on tax evasion and avoidance by multinational companies, and he called for a windfall tax on the energy companies making “exorbitant profits” from ordinary people.
Mr Roy said: “I have repeatedly called on the Government to bin this unjust bedroom tax and I will continue to highlight its injustices and try to shame the Government into repealing this unjust legislation.
“I have also called on Labour to include a clear statement in its manifesto that it will get rid of this vicious and unwarranted imposition.
“In the meantime, I commend Labour-led Fife Council for adding £1 million to the discretionary fund from Government to support people affected by this unjust tax.
“The Scottish Government, who have so far refused to provide additional funds, now need to step up to the mark and provide financial support to local authorities to avoid tenants getting into debt.”
He said local authorities and the Scottish Government should take effective action together now to protect people from the tax.
“Our constituents expect nothing less. There can be no tribal loyalties or attempts to score political points at the expense of the welfare, health and wellbeing of the poor, disabled and disadvantaged.
“We need real, joint action today, not jam tomorrow. We cannot wait until 2015 or 2016 we need effective action now.”