Hull MP lampoons Government shambles over Bedroom Tax and lodgers

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today attacked the Government's mixed messages over council tenants sub-letting their properties under the new Bedroom Tax.

Last year the Government announced that it was to outlaw the practice of tenants sub-letting their council dwellings. However, the Government has been issuing guidance advising tenants to take in a lodger in order to make up potential losses for 'under-occupying' under the Bedroom Tax when it comes into force in April.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Last year the then Housing Minister proposed outlawing council tenants sub-letting, with up to two years in prison or a £50,000 fine. Now you're advising tenants to sublet to cover the Bedroom Tax. Does the Government actually know what they're doing?"

Although both Tory and Lib Dem Ministers defended the Bedroom Tax on numerous occasions in Local Government Questions today, the Minister failed to answer Diana Johnson MP's question on sub-letting.

The Government's own publicity on its plans to outlaw sub-letting can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16499636.

Meanwhile, the Government's advice from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) website on how tenants can deal with the effects of the Bedroom Tax, including the encouragement of letting out space to lodgers, can be found at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/size-criteria-social-rented/.

The exchange happened today in the House of Commons.

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