More than 2,000 homes hit by ‘cruel’ bedroom tax in Wrexham and Denbighshire

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has condemned the UK Government after figures revealed more than 2,000 households across Wrexham and Denbighshire have been hit by its ‘cruel’ bedroom tax.

Labour AM Mr Skates described the Tory-led Westminster coalition as ‘heartless’ after data from the Department of Work and Pensions showed 2,184 homes across the two council areas are worse off since the benefit cuts were imposed in April.

He said: “I had grave concerns as soon as these cruel plans to penalise many hard-working families on modest incomes were announced by the Conservatives, and despite numerous warnings from welfare charities about the impact the bedroom tax would have the heartless UK Government has repeatedly refused to listen.

“The bedroom tax has already hit 1,533 households in Wrexham and another 651 in Denbighshire according to the most up-to-date DWP figures, among them many of my constituents who were struggling to make ends meet before it was introduced and who are now in dire straits.

“Across Wales almost 34,000 homes are out of pocket thanks to this Tory-led policy. Families are falling behind on rent and are suffering up and down the country – this attack on people’s livings standards is having disastrous consequences.”