Tag Archives: ukcuts
Protests: Carers and disabled affected by Benefit change
16 March 2013 Last updated at 18:32
Housing benefit change protests held
Protests have taken place across the country, including Manchester.Thousands have been demonstrating in a series of cities against government plans to cut housing benefit for those considered to have too much space.
Protests against the plan – labelled the “bedroom tax” by Labour – have been held in 52 towns and cities, including Manchester and London.
Organisers said between 12,000 and 13,000 people turned out.
The government’s welfare changes are due to come in in April and are expected to affect 660,000 people.
Those deemed to have a spare room in their council or housing association home will have their housing benefit claims reduced by £40-£80.
The protests’ national organiser, Éoin Clarke, said: “This is a cruel policy that primarily hits single parents, and the adult disabled.
“Even children deemed disabled but not ‘severely’ so, are affected. Carers, the terminally-ill, battered wives and husbands are all affected.
Husband who cares for his wife with MS faces misery because they have a spare bedroom
‘I’d rather go to jail than pay bedroom tax’ – husband carer’s desperation over controversial welfare cut
PETER PAPWORTH, who looks after his disabled wife, says he’d rather be behind bars than pay the Con-Dem’s bedroom tax.
A HUSBAND who cares for his disabled wife is among the first people to be hit by the Con-Dem Government’s controversial bedroom tax.
Peter Papworth received a demand from Highland Council this week but vows he will go to jail rather than pay.
The 38-year-old lives with wife Amanda, who has multiple sclerosis, in a two-bedroom house in Inverness.
But Highland Council say the couple must fork out £9.96 a week from next month as they have a spare room.
He is now demanding a meeting with local Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander – a leading member of the Coalition Government behind the tax.
Peter said: “My stomach is knotted with anger. To some people it might only be £40 a month but we simply cannot afford it. This will have a devastating effect on us.”
Archbishop of Canterbury attacks Government welfare reforms
Archbishop of Canterbury attacks Government welfare reforms
The Archbishop of Canterbury is supporting a campaign to derail a key part of the Government’s welfare reforms.
8:03PM GMT 09 Mar 2013
In his most significant political intervention since taking office, the Most Rev Justin Welby has warned that “children and families will pay the price” if plans to change the benefits system go ahead in their current form.
Mr Welby and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have backed a letter to The Sunday Telegraph written by 43 bishops who say the benefits cuts will have a “deeply disproportionate” effect on children.
The move will come as a blow to Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, who is attempting to steer the reforms through Parliament.
He has said the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill, which will cap benefit rises at 1 per cent a year until 2016, is needed to help get spending “back under control” and create a fairer deal for taxpayers.
However, Mr Welby, who will be formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, said the legislation will remove the protection given to families against the rising cost of living and could push 200,000 children into poverty.
He said: “As a civilised society, we have a duty to support those among us who are vulnerable and in need. When times are hard, that duty should be felt more than ever, not disappear or diminish.
“It is essential that we have a welfare system that responds to need and recognises the rising costs of food, fuel and housing.
