Local MP backs Abolition of Bedroom Tax
Monday, 22 December 2014
SNP MPs, including Banff & Buchan’s Eilidh Whiteford, have again voted for the abolition of the Bedroom Tax following a debate in Westminster.
Local MP Dr Whiteford and SNP colleagues have consistently voted against the Bedroom Tax at Westminster and did so again this week.
Speaking during the debate in the House of Commons, the SNP’s Work & Pensions Spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford MP said:
“As well as being a bad policy, the bedroom tax is, above all, a nasty and vindictive policy. It does not surprise me that the Tories have imposed it on us. This is supposed to be the season of good will, but there is a distinct lack of Christmas cheer among the people still dealing with the financial consequences of this fiasco of a policy.”
Commenting after the vote, Dr Whiteford said:
“This shockingly bad policy continues to put pressure on low income households in the North-east and contributes to food and fuel poverty and the rise in demand for foodbank support.
“Anti-poverty charities and organisations have roundly criticised the Bedroom Tax and in Scotland the Scottish Government has diverted funds from other budgets in order to support the families and individuals affected.
“I commend the efforts of council benefits staff who are distributing these funds to affected households and I commend the Scottish Government for providing money to tackle this unfair policy head on.
“That diversion of money to mitigate against the Bedroom Tax is the right thing to do to protect the vulnerable groups affected but it is an absolute disgrace that the Tory/Lib-Dem coalition continue to go against the advice of experts and widespread opposition throughout the country to this iniquitous policy.
“The SNP will continue to actively oppose the Bedroom Tax and I sincerely hope that the UK Government will back down sooner rather than later.”
“Anti-poverty charities and organisations have roundly criticised the Bedroom Tax and in Scotland the Scottish Government has diverted funds from other budgets in order to support the families and individuals affected.
“I commend the efforts of council benefits staff who are distributing these funds to affected households and I commend the Scottish Government for providing money to tackle this unfair policy head on.
“That diversion of money to mitigate against the Bedroom Tax is the right thing to do to protect the vulnerable groups affected but it is an absolute disgrace that the Tory/Lib-Dem coalition continue to go against the advice of experts and widespread opposition throughout the country to this iniquitous policy.
“The SNP will continue to actively oppose the Bedroom Tax and I sincerely hope that the UK Government will back down sooner rather than later.”
