Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Emma Lewell-Buck and Mark Prisk
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)
22. What assessment he has made of the availability of one-bedroom homes.
The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk)
There are 1.1 million single-bedroom properties in the social rented sector. Overall, the social rented sector shrank by 420,000 homes between 1997 and 2010.
Mrs Lewell-Buck
In South Tyneside there are 1,026 households currently living in two-bedroom properties who are affected by the bedroom tax, but just 122 one- bedroom homes are available—more than eight households per vacancy. How can the Minister justify a policy that punishes tenants for under-occupancy when the vast majority are simply unable to move?
Mr Prisk
May I take the opportunity to welcome the hon. Lady? I think that this is the first chance we have had to debate since she was elected in May. She was a keen fighter on what she calls a bedroom tax. The question Government Members have is this: if the Labour party is so opposed to this measure, why is her party leader refusing to repeal it?