MSE News: Thousands of tenants to get bedroom tax rebate

custardy

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

And we should all remember that pensioners are exempt from the Bedroom Tax - it is single pensioners in 3 or 4 bedroom houses that should be targeted so family homes can be freed up for families instead of a single pensioner.

Wont someone think of the (grand) Children!

princessdon

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

And we should all remember that pensioners are exempt from the Bedroom Tax - it is single pensioners in 3 or 4 bedroom houses that should be targeted so family homes can be freed up for families instead of a single pensioner.

They need a spare room or two for the grandchildren to stay over


I suppose the argument is that at some point they'll vacate. Gran is a pensioner and pays £21 a week more rent for her 2 bed LA place than a 1 bed in same building so it can't be penalising pensioners as some already pay for their second room.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

princessdon wrote: »

They need a spare room or two for the grandchildren to stay over


I suppose the argument is that at some point they'll vacate. Gran is a pensioner and pays £21 a week more rent for her 2 bed LA place than a 1 bed in same building so it can't be penalising pensioners as some already pay for their second room.

Only if granny doesn't claim benefits. Most pensioners in social housing are on benefits.

princessdon

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Only if granny doesn't claim benefits. Most pensioners in social housing are on benefits.

Really? Perhaps sheltered accommodation is different as most appear well off with good past careers.

But it shows they are not frighted of charging pensioners - just "poor ones" so I can't see why they are frightened of the silver vote when it comes to HB reduction.

~Chameleon~

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

And we should all remember that pensioners are exempt from the Bedroom Tax - it is single pensioners in 3 or 4 bedroom houses that should be targeted so family homes can be freed up for families instead of a single pensioner.

Exactly! Which is why this legislation is totally absurd and has absolutely nothing to do with freeing up housing stock for those who need it!

gadgetmind

princessdon wrote: »

I can't see why they are frightened of the silver vote when it comes to HB reduction.

Pensioners don't have the option of working to pay their own way rather than claiming benefits for every this, that and the other.

Perhaps they are trying to frighten those who do have this option into exercising it?

sniggings

gadgetmind wrote: »

Pensioners don't have the option of working to pay their own way rather than claiming benefits for every this, that and the other.

Perhaps they are trying to frighten those who do have this option into exercising it?

if you can't get a job, that gives you no option, just the same as a pensioner, but the difference is the pensioner starts of with a higher income then the same single person or couple.

I do not agree with the tory tactic of setting one social group against the other, but we all know the reason why they have left the pensioners alone, is because they are mainly the people that vote for the tories.

nannytone_2

gadgetmind wrote: »

Pensioners don't have the option of working to pay their own way rather than claiming benefits for every this, that and the other.

Perhaps they are trying to frighten those who do have this option into exercising it?

like the severly disabled people?

princessdon

sniggings wrote: »

if you can't get a job, that gives you no option, just the same as a pensioner, but the difference is the pensioner starts of with a higher income then the same single person or couple.

I do not agree with the tory tactic of setting one social group against the other, but we all know the reason why they have left the pensioners alone, is because they are mainly the people that vote for the tories.

Not all pensioners, my gran is pretty livid that she's over £200 a month worse off because she has a very small pension. She blames labour though and prior to ill health was a long term labour supporter even fundraising and canvassing for them. I suspect the Tory silver vote would very much like to see pensioners pay their way too.

sniggings

princessdon wrote: »

Not all pensioners, my gran is pretty livid that she's over £200 a month worse off because she has a very small pension. She blames labour though and prior to ill health was a long term labour supporter even fundraising and canvassing for them. I suspect the Tory silver vote would very much like to see pensioners pay their way too.

I didn't say all pensioners were tory voters, but that the tory vote is mainly from pensioners, which is not the same thing.