Will The Bedroom Tax Affect Me?

princessdon

meerustar wrote: »

Or read this and feel good about yourself.

http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2013/02/13/five-stories-of-the-barbaric-reality-of-the-governments-bedroom-tax-for-disabled-people-i-lay-awake-at-night-and-go-through-all-the-things-i-pay-for-and-how-much-i-have-left-and-come-t/

or this facebook group ...

http://www.facebook.com/groups/antibedroomtax/

where members are actually considering suicide because they can't cope with all these cuts.

It's disgusting!!

I know about cuts - just because I am not affected doesn't mean I don't have family who are. Same reply to them, move into private.

MissMoneypenny

meerustar wrote: »

where members are actually considering suicide because they can't cope with all these cuts.

It's disgusting!!

I knew someone who committed suicide. He didn't threaten suicide or even talk about it: one day he just did it.

I also know someone who has talked about killing herself, for over 30 years now.

cockaleekee

meerustar wrote: »

Or read this and feel good about yourself.

http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2013/02/13/five-stories-of-the-barbaric-reality-of-the-governments-bedroom-tax-for-disabled-people-i-lay-awake-at-night-and-go-through-all-the-things-i-pay-for-and-how-much-i-have-left-and-come-t/

or this facebook group ...

http://www.facebook.com/groups/antibedroomtax/

where members are actually considering suicide because they can't cope with all these cuts.

It's disgusting!!

Those stories do nothing to garner sympathy for the cause.

In the first story I was very sad to learn that the lady had lost both her parents and her brother recently. Or at least, I assumed it was a recent loss, otherwise why would it be relevant? Then I realised they had actually died over twenty years ago!

I stopped reading at that point - I want to understand what her situation is now, not some sob story about what happened a lifetime ago.

meerustar

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

I knew someone who committed suicide. He didn't threaten suicide or even talk about it: one day he just did it.

I also know someone who has talked about killing herself, for over 30 years now.

On Valentines day I went to the funeral of an 18 year old lad who had hung himself. He threatened a few times to do it, and finally did.

Don't try and make out those who say they will never do!

bargainbetty

Morlock wrote: »

That is not taking any responsibility in a housing crisis, ie not enough space available for the number of people who require a home. And given that under-occupancy in the private sector is nearly 90%, hogging all of the housing space that is required by others. The fact that you pay for it is irrelevant.

I have a small two bedroomed flat. Most homeowners my age have that with a plan for a child, or a one bedroomed flat for those who couldn't afford more. Older people who had kids and owned their own home often do downsize for financial reasons, but surely the point of this is to free up smaller properties, not big ones?

For those saying that homeowners should pay this 'tax' please note for the umpteenth time, it is not a tax, it is a reduction in housing benefit. Those having their housing paid for by the state will get less towards it.

Since I do not claim benefits, and my buying a one bedroomed place would probably make things worse (since that appears to be what you are looking for when downsizing, I will not be affected.

With the exception of changing the rules so that those with genuine illnesses or foster carers can be allocated an extra room (and military personnel), I don't actually have a problem with this policy. Why should the state pay for a room for someone travelling and working in a foreign country for a year? Why should the state cover the cost of a spare room? I wanted two bedrooms instead of one, I paid for them. Why should the state pay for wants, not needs? The social care system is finite.

I do agree that there are a shortage of some types of housing, but a brief look in my area suggests more than 50 one bed properties within a half mile, and under the local LHA budget. Flame away, but unless there is a specific health reason, I cannot see why the state should pay for more than a household actually needs. If that means you have to move to another property, so be it.

meerustar

cockaleekee wrote: »

Those stories do nothing to garner sympathy for the cause.

In the first story I was very sad to learn that the lady had lost both her parents and her brother recently. Or at least, I assumed it was a recent loss, otherwise why would it be relevant? Then I realised they had actually died over twenty years ago!

I stopped reading at that point - I want to understand what her situation is now, not some sob story about what happened a lifetime ago.

If you'd have read on, you'd have seen what her situation is now.

cockaleekee

meerustar wrote: »

If you'd have read on, you'd have seen what her situation is now.

You miss my point - people don't want to read through lots of irrelevant information, solely posted to make a sob story, before getting to the facts. It wholly devalues any valid point they have to make.

Morlock

Considering that housing benefit expenditure on the private sector far outweighs that of the social housing sector, it would make far more sense to introduce rental controls on private lets to reduce the housing benefit bill.

princessdon

Morlock wrote: »

Considering that housing benefit expenditure on the private sector far outweighs that of the social housing sector, it would make far more sense to introduce rental controls on private lets to reduce the housing benefit bill.

They can't as house prices are too high - labour allowed over inflated prices to occur too rapidly, it will take years to force them down again. But they are trying hence only paying the lower 30% as market rate.

cockaleekee

Morlock wrote: »

Considering that housing benefit expenditure on the private sector far outweighs that of the social housing sector, it would make far more sense to introduce rental controls on private lets to reduce the housing benefit bill.

Are you suggesting private landlords work on a not for profit basis? :rotfl: