Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA


2nd September 2014


Dear Simon,

I am writing to ask if you will be voting to support The Affordable Homes Private Member’s Bill this Friday, 5th September, which seeks to exempt some households from the Government’s Bedroom Tax.

People in Southwark have been amongst the hardest-hit. In the last year 3,557 households in Southwark have been hit by the Bedroom Tax, having to pay on average £1,058 more a year. This is a considerable sum for people who are already on low incomes and is hitting them at a time when they are already facing a cost of living crisis.

Labour wants to abolish the Bedroom Tax because it’s hitting the most vulnerable and it’s costing Southwark Council over £0.5million to administer. It's not a way to tackle "under-occupation" because even when people are prepared to move to a smaller property, there are not enough smaller homes for people to move to. 

£3.75 million a year is going to the Government from low income households in Southwark who pay the Bedroom Tax. They know I voted against this unfair tax but that you voted for it.

Nick Clegg has said that the Lib Dems have changed their minds on the Bedroom Tax. So, are you going to vote against the unfairness of the Bedroom Tax on Friday 5th of September? Or once again are you going to let your constituents down and support a Tory policy which is causing hardship.

Best wishes,
 
Harriet Harman