Bedroom Tax Welfare Mitigations Extended

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced plans to extend welfare mitigations to the bedroom tax.

It's estimated that around 38,000 households are in receipt of supplementary payments that protect them from the tax, with many worrying about their welfare benefits when the previous set of mitigations expire next month.

Minister Hargey said she will be introducing new legislation to extend the protections to beyond 31 March 2020, in a proposal set to cost around £23 million per annum.

"We have a responsibility to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in society," the Sinn Fein MLA said.

"In the coming weeks I will introduce new legislation to extend this essential mitigation, which will continue to safeguard more than 38,000 of the most vulnerable households in our society from harsh Tory welfare cuts."

The Minister continued: "A society is judged on how we protect the most disadvantaged. I am a Minister who will fight to protect those families living in poverty; low-income families, single-parent families, those with disabilities and children and young people. I am working hard to target resources towards those most in need."

The extension of welfare mitigations was agreed in the 'New Decade, New Approach' deal.



(JG/MH)