Around 12,500 Fifers will be worse off with the implementation of the UK Government’s bedroom tax, it has been claimed.
Almost 40% of people in the region currently on housing benefit will be classed as under-occupying and will have their payments cut when the changes come into force in April.
The figures were revealed in a document entitled Impact of Planned Housing Benefit Changes in Scotland, produced by the Scottish Government’s Information Centre.
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance said the implementation would have a significant impact on his constituents.
“When this comes into force in April, 39% of people in Fife currently on housing benefit will be classified as under-occupying,” he said.
“This accounts for approximately 12,500 households.”
The controversial bedroom tax which will affect around 660,000 social housing tenants across Britain will see the Government ask people deemed to have a spare bedroom to either downsize or face a cut in benefits.
In real terms, affected tenants will find themselves between £27 and £65 worse off each week.
A single person or a couple in a two-bedroom house will see their benefit cut by 14% and, if they have two spare rooms or more, by 25%.
Mr Torrance said: “This is undoubtedly going to affect many families in my constituency and cause them worry and unnecessary hardship. It will, in fact, probably be much worse, as these statistics do not reflect the figures for private rentals.”
He added: “Even more worrying is the fact that amongst the hardest hit will be those with disabilities.”