Protest of Bedroom Tax as council says it will do all it can to help

Mar 15 2013 by Sandy Clarke, Irvine Herald

Protesters last week called on North Ayrshire councillors to stand up to the loathed Bedroom Tax.

Residents gathered together with the Scottish Socialist Party’s Richie Venton outside Cunninghame House on Wednesday.

They called for councillors to put a “no evictions” policy in place to save people who fall into rent arrears being kicked out of their homes.

Mr Venton pressed for the council to take action during a public meeting at the Vineburgh Community Centre earlier this month.

Kilwinning Councillor Joe Cullinane tabled a motion during a recent council meeting to have legislation put in place to protect people from evictions.

A full report is to be submitted to the SNP cabinet in the coming weeks.

Council bosses have expressed their commitment to doing all they can to help people who are affected by the Bedroom Tax, which will come into force on April 1.

A spokesman said: “We have already taken a number of steps to address the wider issue of welfare reform.

“The council has set aside £425,000 to establish a Welfare Reform Team in Housing Services, provided additional funding to Citizens Advice services in North Ayrshire, and will offer support and advice to tenants who struggle to cope with the new tax.”

Council bosses also said they will take “all reasonable steps to maintain a tenancy” and say eviction is a last resort.

Some Tory MPs sparked outrage by advising local authority tenants to “take in a lodger” to meet their financial needs – even though such a measure is illegal under many tenancy agreements.

North Ayrshire Council said it “does not endorse any method used to maintain occupancy levels” but has a duty to “make sure tenants are aware of all the options open to them in order to make an informed decision.”