Stockport Labour Group has welcomed Ed Miliband’s announcement that a future Labour Government would scrap the Bedroom Tax.

Labour councillors in Stockport have been campaigning for the Lib Dem and Tory Government to scrap the Bedroom Tax which affects approximately 2,900 residents in Stockport, with the average Stockport Homes tenant losing £695 a year in support.

A Labour Government would scrap the Bedroom Tax and pay for that by reversing Government measures including the recent tax cut for hedge funds, the shares for rights scheme (which opened up a £1 billion tax loophole) and tackling tax scams in the construction industry.

Latest figures from Stockport Homes state that 1,232 residents are affected by the Bedroom Tax; rent arrears due to the Bedroom Tax have increased by £38,547 and 93 more accounts are in arrears because of the Bedroom Tax.

Cllr Kate Butler, Shadow Spokesperson with responsibility for Welfare Reform, said: “It is excellent news that Ed has confirmed that a future Labour Government would scrap the Bedroom Tax. Labour councillors in Stockport have been working hard to shine the spotlight on this hateful and illogical tax which hits almost 3,000 people in Stockport. The Bedroom Tax does not solve overcrowding and does not save the taxpayer money. It attacks people on low incomes and many people with disabilities.

“We tabled a motion at Full Council in June calling on the Government to scrap the Bedroom Tax, but Stockport’s Lib Dem and Tory councillors refused to support our calls. It’s clear that only Labour will stand-up for local people against this Government’s attacks.”