family lawyer aberdeen
herald-legal

Family Law Aberdeen Latest News

Bedroom tax penalises shared custody arrangements

Human rights organisation Liberty has announced it will seek Judicial Review of the Government’s controversial new “bedroom tax” policy based on the impact on separated families with shared custody of children.

The scheme – part of wider welfare reforms – will cut residents’ Housing Benefit if they are deemed to have a “spare” room in their home. It will apply from April this year to all council or housing association tenants of working age.

Liberty wants to challenge the lawfulness of the proposals – on the grounds they are irrational and a violation of Articles 8 and/or 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights; the right to a private and family life and no discrimination.

The human rights group is representing three clients whose families will be adversely affected by the policy as their children do not live with them on a full-time basis as part of agreed custody arrangements.

Corinna Ferguson, Legal Officer for Liberty, said:

“In no way can these loving parents be accused of ‘under-occupying’ their properties or having ‘spare bedrooms’ – these rooms are very much their children’s and home to many of their belongings. This bedroom tax could destroy thousands of similar arrangements for shared care of children, at enormous social cost. Why is a Government that prides itself on prioritising families penalising people merely for having children?”

Doing housework together can improve relationships
Marriages rise again

Related Posts

no legal aid