Welfare powers called for
Bedroom Tax vote
The defeat of a bid in the UK Parliament for the hated Bedroom Tax to be scrapped has sparked further calls for the full devolution of the welfare system.
A Labour motion i n t he C o mmon s t o a b o l i s h t h e t a x was def e at e d by t he c oal i t i on government, with 298 MPs voting against repealing the tax and 266 voting in favour.
Analysis has shown that around 80 per cent of people affected by Bedroom Tax in Scotland have a disability.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said the tax was neither fair nor in the interests of the public purse.
She said: “It is regrettable that Westminster has voted to uphold the unwanted Bedroom Tax.
“Thankfully in Scotland the SNP has taken action to mitigate the effects of the Bedroom Tax – but i t i s l udicrous t hat t he Scottish G ov e r nment must s p e n d t e n s of millions of pounds to protect people f rom a polic y t hat most Scots reject.
“Official figures show that social protection has been more affordable in Scotland than the UK over the past five years.
“A d d t h i s t o t h e S c o t t i s h Government’s t rack record and the case for control of welfare to rest with Scotland’s Parliament is clear.
“With evi dence f rom COSL A ( Conventi o n o f S c o t t i s h L o c a l Authorities) showing the Bedroom Tax costs more to implement than it saves, this is a waste of money that could be invested in building more social housing.
“That said, I am relieved t hat t e na nt s wi l l no l o nger b e experiencing hardship or accruing rent arrears caused by this nasty policy.”