Menu
11/01/2017
34,000 NI Householders Could Be Hit With 'Bedroom Tax'
Around 34,000 households in Northern Ireland could be hit with 'bedroom tax' if mitigation measures are not introduced, a housing advice charity has warned.
Housing Rights said if the Stormont Assembly collapses thousands of householders could be on average over £20 a week worse off.
On Monday, 09 January, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned and if he is not replaced within seven days the Assembly will be dissolved and an election will have to be held within six weeks.
This will result in the Executive not meeting to approve any draft mitigation regulations.
Housing Rights is calling for urgent focus on the issue to ensure that, if the Assembly is unable to pass regulations mitigating the impact of the policy, alternative action will be taken.
SDLP Communities spokesperson Nichola Mallon said: "Failure to introduce legislation to put mitigation plans in place could see vulnerable tenants with two bedrooms unoccupied for example, who are already struggling to make ends meet, lumbered with an extra £100 on top of their monthly bills forcing more people into poverty and putting more people at risk of homelessness.
"I have written to the Minister for Communities requesting urgent assurance and confirmation that the mitigation measures, that were much heralded by the DUP and Sinn Féin last year, will be in place by the time the Bedroom Tax is introduced next month."
(CD)
Housing Rights said if the Stormont Assembly collapses thousands of householders could be on average over £20 a week worse off.
On Monday, 09 January, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned and if he is not replaced within seven days the Assembly will be dissolved and an election will have to be held within six weeks.
This will result in the Executive not meeting to approve any draft mitigation regulations.
Housing Rights is calling for urgent focus on the issue to ensure that, if the Assembly is unable to pass regulations mitigating the impact of the policy, alternative action will be taken.
SDLP Communities spokesperson Nichola Mallon said: "Failure to introduce legislation to put mitigation plans in place could see vulnerable tenants with two bedrooms unoccupied for example, who are already struggling to make ends meet, lumbered with an extra £100 on top of their monthly bills forcing more people into poverty and putting more people at risk of homelessness.
"I have written to the Minister for Communities requesting urgent assurance and confirmation that the mitigation measures, that were much heralded by the DUP and Sinn Féin last year, will be in place by the time the Bedroom Tax is introduced next month."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 February 2022
Assembly Passes Legislation To Close 'Loopholes' In Welfare Mitigation Schemes
Legislation to close 'loopholes' in welfare mitigation schemes has been passed by the Assembly, Enacted by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the legislation means that mitigation payments will be available to more people who currently have their benefits reduced because of the 'bedroom tax' and benefit cap.
Assembly Passes Legislation To Close 'Loopholes' In Welfare Mitigation Schemes
Legislation to close 'loopholes' in welfare mitigation schemes has been passed by the Assembly, Enacted by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the legislation means that mitigation payments will be available to more people who currently have their benefits reduced because of the 'bedroom tax' and benefit cap.
16 November 2021
Panel Appointed To Review Welfare Mitigation Measures
An Independent Advisory Panel has been appointed to review welfare mitigation measures in Northern Ireland, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The Independent Advisory Panel will be chaired by Les Allamby, former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
Panel Appointed To Review Welfare Mitigation Measures
An Independent Advisory Panel has been appointed to review welfare mitigation measures in Northern Ireland, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The Independent Advisory Panel will be chaired by Les Allamby, former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
02 March 2022
Assembly Backs Long-Term Protection From 'Bedroom Tax'
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that tens of thousands of households now have long-term protection from the so-called 'Bedroom Tax' because of legislation passed by the Assembly.
Assembly Backs Long-Term Protection From 'Bedroom Tax'
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that tens of thousands of households now have long-term protection from the so-called 'Bedroom Tax' because of legislation passed by the Assembly.
26 October 2022
Hargey Welcomes New Report On Welfare Mitigation Schemes
The findings of an independent review of welfare mitigation schemes published by the Department for Communities has been welcomed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
Hargey Welcomes New Report On Welfare Mitigation Schemes
The findings of an independent review of welfare mitigation schemes published by the Department for Communities has been welcomed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
24 August 2022
Alliance Calls For Publication Of Welfare Mitigation Measures
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for recommendations from the independent welfare mitigation measures to be published as soon as possible. It comes after the Strangford MLA wrote to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to seek an update on when the independent review of the mitigations would be published.
Alliance Calls For Publication Of Welfare Mitigation Measures
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for recommendations from the independent welfare mitigation measures to be published as soon as possible. It comes after the Strangford MLA wrote to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to seek an update on when the independent review of the mitigations would be published.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
