MPs try to derail bedroom tax

Parliament's SNP/Plaid Cymru/Green group has tabled a motion in a last-ditch bid to derail the government's plans to force council tenants with unoccupied bedrooms to move house or face a cut to their housing benefit.

And the Star has learned many Labour MPs will take a break from campaigning in the Eastleigh by-election to throw their weight behind tomorrow's debate and vote.

Speaking in Westminster before tomorrow's debate, Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams said the benefit cut will force over 400,000 people to "choose whether to eat or save their money to pay rent."

Green MP Caroline Lucas said: "This redefines the purpose of social housing - it was never meant to be a short term option but a safe, long-term alternative for people who cannot afford market prices."

MPs also confirmed the government has made no analysis of how ripping £500 million out of the pockets of social tenants will effect local economies or how many extra social homes are available for tenants being forced to downsize.

The bedroom tax will come into affect on April 1 if Chancellor George Osbourne includes the measure in his March 20 budget.

But progressive MPs are hopeful the Chancellor could be forced to make another major budget U-turn as opposition to the controversial tax gathers momentum.