THOUSANDS of people in Notts will be pushed into a financial crisis following the introduction of the Government's "bedroom tax", it is claimed.
The Government is set to slash housing benefit for people living in council or housing association homes with more bedrooms than they need. The idea is to force people to downsize and reduce the cost of benefits.
But a Post investigation has shown a lack of available houses means that many tenants will have nowhere to go.
Among 12 housing associations in the city, only 21 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom properties are available – but 5,506 households need to downsize or be hit by the cuts.
And outside the city, lettings website Homesearch says only 10 two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom properties are available in Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood is urging the Government to reconsider the changes.
She said: "Even if people wanted to move to avoid the cut to their benefit, there is clearly nowhere for them to go. Losing 14 per cent on £71 of benefit is a huge drop and could well force people to live below the poverty line."
Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the Government could not afford to pay for bedrooms that are not being used.
What do you think of the plans? Join the debate at thisisnottingham.co.uk
