Dundee’s council tenants are in arrears to the tune of more than £20,000 per week because of the ‘bedroom tax’, the city’s housing convener has revealed.
John Alexander has condemned the figures and is blaming the Coalition Government’s welfare cuts.
Mr Alexander has also condemned the Labour Party and is urging the local Labour group to get behind the SNP in opposing the tax.
In response, Kevin Keegan, leader of the Labour group on the city council, has challenged the Scottish Government to step in with the funding to help those most in need.
At Monday’s policy and resources committee councillors heard that arrears attributed to the bedroom tax were valued at £21,000 a week.
Mr Alexander said: “We are seeing an increase in tenants struggling and accruing arrears on their accounts, which clearly has a knock-on effect for the overall housing budget.
“As a department, we have provided tenants with details on welfare cuts, contacts for council teams such as the welfare rights, as well as details of voluntary organisations.
“Let’s be clear these cuts are having a serious and detrimental impact upon this city’s most vulnerable people.
“As an SNP administration, we have continually campaigned against the bedroom tax and are the only party to pledge its abolishment.
“We have also brought in policies to mitigate the effects of these policies such as changes to the allocations policy for those affected by the bedroom tax, a housing incentive scheme to assist those downsizing and increasing the discretionary housing payment budget by £150,000.
“Council staff across the board are assisting people with income maximisation, budgeting and housing options. My question is: where are the Labour Party?
“It’s clear that despite Ed Milliband’s rhetoric the Labour Party will continue to fully implement the Tory cuts, inclusive of the bedroom tax if they win the next general election.
“I’d welcome the local Labour Party’s support for the SNP’s campaign to revoke this inhumane policy. Hopefully the rhetoric can be matched by action.”
Kevin Cordell, deputy convener of housing, said: “I am concerned at the detrimental impact these Tory policies are having on Dundee and have recently brought a motion to committee calling for the Westminster Government to devolve welfare to the Scottish Parliament.
“The SNP were the only party to back this motion, which would have given Scotland the powers necessary to remove this appalling policy.”
Mr Keenan responded: “The level of non-payment of the Bedroom Tax is worse than anyone would ever have predicted.”
He said: “If anyone is deliberately not making any effort to pay, they should read the small print within the SNP’s policy.
“The bedroom tax is unfair and unjust, estimated to be affecting 100,000 people in Scotland 23,000 of them with a medical need for the extra room.
“This is an area where I consider that the Scottish Government should immediately step up to the challenge.
“Around £12 million would address the issue for those with medical need. We don’t have to wait for independence the SNP can do something now.”