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'Bedroom tax' legal test to begin at High Court Housing benefit changes legal test to begin at High Court
(about 5 hours later)
A legal test is set to begin into the government's decision to cut housing benefit for recipients living in properties that have a spare room.A legal test is set to begin into the government's decision to cut housing benefit for recipients living in properties that have a spare room.
The so-called bedroom tax will be challenged at the High Court by a group of disabled people and their families. The move - dubbed a "bedroom tax" by critics - will be challenged at the High Court by a group of disabled people and their families.
They say the changes are discriminatory, and therefore against the law, because they need the extra rooms to cope with their disability. They say the changes discriminate against them because they need extra rooms to cope with their disability.
Ministers say they are confident their changes are legal.Ministers say they are confident their changes are legal.
About 660,000 working-age social housing households that have spare bedrooms have lost an average of £14 per week since their benefit was cut at the beginning of April.About 660,000 working-age social housing households that have spare bedrooms have lost an average of £14 per week since their benefit was cut at the beginning of April.
Human rights and equalityHuman rights and equality
Ten families, all disabled or the parents of disabled children, are going to court to challenge the changes.Ten families, all disabled or the parents of disabled children, are going to court to challenge the changes.
Their lawyers will argue that the benefit cut is discriminatory and violates both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act.Their lawyers will argue that the benefit cut is discriminatory and violates both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act.
They say discretionary payments the government has made available to help those most affected by the benefit cuts are insufficient.They say discretionary payments the government has made available to help those most affected by the benefit cuts are insufficient.
The judicial review is going ahead after the government lost an attempt to have the action thrown out last month.The judicial review is going ahead after the government lost an attempt to have the action thrown out last month.
The cut is dubbed a "bedroom tax" by its critics but is a "spare room subsidy" for its supporters.The cut is dubbed a "bedroom tax" by its critics but is a "spare room subsidy" for its supporters.
The government says it wants to bring social housing tenants into line with its provision in the private sector.The government says it wants to bring social housing tenants into line with its provision in the private sector.
Intended to reduce a £21bn annual housing benefit bill, the measure is also aimed at encouraging greater mobility in the social rented sector.Intended to reduce a £21bn annual housing benefit bill, the measure is also aimed at encouraging greater mobility in the social rented sector.