“Could you state the source of this information please to validate it.”

“This just isn't true.”

“It doesn't need to be true, it's just anti-government propaganda. Repeat it enough times and it's believed to be true.”

“Firstly it's not a tax, it's a welcome reduction in benefits for those in 'benefit mansions' who have one or more spare rooms when there are larger families desperately waiting for these type of properties.

Secondly, it's only unpopular with those who face having to actually contribute to their accomodation (heaven forbid!). For someone like me who doesn't receive benefits but does pay too much in tax, this proposal is MOST WELCOME.”

“Seems a little strange you would object to emotive terms such as referring to this benefit cut as a "tax," then go on to refer to "benefit mansions" when many of those affected will be living in two-bedroom flats.

I should say I am not opposed to coming up with ways to free up under-occupied social housing, just in using hyperbolic arguments.”

“Seems a little strange you would object to emotive terms such as referring to this benefit cut as a "tax," then go on to refer to "benefit mansions" when many of those affected will be living in two-bedroom flats.

I should say I am not opposed to coming up with ways to free up under-occupied social housing, just in using hyperbolic arguments.”

“I was using "benefit mansions" in the same ridiculously incorrect manner as when a reduction in benefits is called a "bedroom tax" - hence why I put it in quotes.”

“Still no validation of the original comment, it looks as if Fred is right. Hi FW, hope you are fit and well.”

“There are many reasons why this change is unwelcome and I am only surprised that 'the other voxpopulii' either has not read them or else just does not care.

It's not usually like that.”

“Chatelet

I'm afraid the information you have posted is untrue - in many ways, and I'm not sure of your motives for posting such misinformation.

The under occupancy rules which come into effect in April are bad enough as it is. There is noo need to scaremonger with such rubbish.

Would you like to explain what a "Specialist Housing Committee" is?”

“The worst thing is about this bedroom tax is the effect it will have on various people. For instance, you and your partner have lived in your social housing house for 30 years, raised children who have now left home. One or both of you work but are on low wages and claim housing benefit. You have neighbours with whom you are friends, and your other friends live nearby. You keep your home, inside and out, in good condition and look after your garden. Part of the cohesion of community that this government bangs on about, maybe you are part of the 'big society' in your area.

But, unless you can afford to pay the extra, you're gonna have to move. Maybe to a one bedroom flat on the other side of town. Away from your neighbours and friends. Away from your community. All for a bit of money that you cannot afford to pay on minimum wage.

If only you had an adult child in the forces. Then it would be alright. Is this social engineering of some sort?

And of course, whilst this is going on, you realise that the Tories forced through the spineless LibDems a tax cut of 5% for those whose wealth you could never even begin to imagine. £40k a year EXTRA. If you had even a fraction of that EXTRA income you could afford to stay where you now live.”

“So what you're saying, Neo_Madbadger, is that social housing residents should keep 'their' properties simply because they've lived there a long time, done a bit of work on the garden, and get on well with the neighbours? Irrespective of need? Can I have one then, cos my neighbours are horrible and I'd like a veg plot?

These council properties were never 'their homes', that's the problem, any more than a company car is your car in-perpetuity. It's your's till the organisation that owns it can find a more suitable use for it.

As for caring for the properties...should bring back council housing inspectors then. Broken fridge and car engine in the garden? Get rid of them in a week or your out. Never mow the lawn? Sort it in a month or your out. Noisy? Keep it down or your out. You'll soon have a cohesive, clean, cared for estate.”

“It's high time something was done about the plethora of champagne Socialists, like Frank Dobson, Bob Crow and Baroness Uddin, who earn massive salaries that continue to live in social housing, sucking limpit like on the teat of the taxpayer.

http://tinyurl.com/6eqnd66

http://tinyurl.com/645xrfl

http://tinyurl.com/cw9uouu”

“It's high time something was done about the plethora of champagne Socialists, like Frank Dobson, Bob Crow and Baroness Uddin, who earn massive salaries that continue to live in social housing, sucking limpit like on the teat of the taxpayer.

http://tinyurl.com/6eqnd66

http://tinyurl.com/645xrfl

http://tinyurl.com/cw9uouu”

“It's high time something was done about the plethora of champagne Socialists, like Frank Dobson, Bob Crow and Baroness Uddin, who earn massive salaries that continue to live in social housing, sucking limpit like on the teat of the taxpayer.”

“Whoops.”

“Benefit bedroom is awoken from long term slumber to the frightening thought of enduring the cuts we all face!!!! Help. Yes but we need these spare rooms and should have what we want- shouldn't we? Errr well no, actually. Sorry but we must arise from this comfy bed the government has previously generously provided and join in with the workers who also face cuts in their own tax paying lives. Please, no more excuses lets get to grip with benefit spending cuts.”

“Isn't the Marxist mantra about "to each according to his need" ? Given that, then a couple whose children have moved out no longer need a 3-bedroom social housing place and should do the decent thing for their comrades who are in more need and downsize.”

“The policy is unworkable. There are no where near enough smaller properties for people to down size to. That is quite a fundamental issue - there are numerous other reasons why it is wrong.”

“Whither the council house sell-offs under the Tories. 20% of those properties sold are now in the hands of private landlords / buy-to-let, many of whom derive their income from Housing Benefit-claiming tenants. Now, who exactly is sucking on the taxpayer's teat again?”

“This has been bandied around on the internet for about three weeks, or something very similar. Unfortunately nobody can point to a source for the information at the present time.”

“Oh, the irony.”

“Oh, the irony.”

“Oh, the irony.”

“Love your post FW and I couldn't agree more.”

“I haven't seen it being bandied about on the internet for the last three weeks or so. Have you gota link to that please.

Thanks”

“I haven't seen it being bandied about on the internet for the last three weeks or so. Have you gota link to that please.

Thanks”

“I haven't seen it being bandied about on the internet for the last three weeks or so. Have you gota link to that please.

Thanks”

“This site is so poor in terms of functionality and performance.”

“This site is so poor in terms of functionality and performance.”