Esther McVey held to account over bedroom tax

Paul Nuttall

Local MEP Paul Nuttall has called on MP Esther McVey to justify her "ridiculous" answer to the lack of single bedroom properties.

Ms McVey, who is the new Bedroom Tax minister, has suggested that the shortage should be solved by adapting existing three bedroom properties into one bedroom homes.

"I think that's a bit rich and a ridiculous suggestion from someone who is given enough cash by the state by buy her own three bedroom detached house and whose well paid job is to ensure others can't have the same," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"And this at a time when there are homes with more than one bedroom standing empty following the eviction of the single tenants living in them.

"As an MP she ought to have a better understanding of people’s problems and as a Minister she ought to have a better grip on an issue which is causing major problems.

"Like so many government projects it has been ill-thought out and only now are they realising that there are not enough single bedroom properties available in the social housing market.

"In some places there are three bedroom homes standing empty while other families are unable to downsize through lack of alternative accommodation.

"It had been projected that the tax would save £480million from the annual housing benefit bill but as always the government appears to have got its figures wrong. This Bedroom Tax just doesn't add up whichever way you look at it," said Mr Nuttall.