Scrap the bedroom tax, and regulate private rents

by Meric Apak.

It is not often I agree with this government. But I do on one count: the housing benefit bill is clearly out of control and must be brought down. Speaking at prime minister’s questions on 30 January 2013, David Cameron said “we are now spending as a country £23bn on housing benefit and we have […]

Busting the myths of the bulging benefit bill

by Meric Apak.

We hear so much of the “bulging benefit bill, so I’d like to deal with a couple of anomalies in the simplistic media analysis that surrounds this. The housing benefit bill is certainly huge. The Government’s choice of dealing with this is through austerity, and they thus burden inner city councils with the fallout. Councils […]

Welfare reform: now Ed’s on side, keep the pressure on

by Meric Apak.

In October 2013 the biggest change to the benefits system since 1945 will begin. The changes are profound. Over 1 million people will be affected in the first 6 months alone and by the time the new system is fully in place, in 2017, it will be relied on by as many as 6 million […]

Welfare reform: we can’t relax yet

by Meric Apak.

Cracks are appearing at the very top of Government. Yesterday’s Guardian has reported that Iain Duncan Smith, has been warned by his own advisers that a vital element of his flagship bill to simplify the benefits system is “unworkable and unfair”. I have collated a string of such media examples proving that campaigners against the welfare […]

The worrying 35 per cent: how can we convince the country?

by Meric Apak.

The problem for me though is that according to a recent YouGov poll, 35% of the public still hold the last Labour Government solely responsible for the cuts, 27% the current Government and 28% both.

Welfare reform: the ghettoes are coming

by Meric Apak.

The enormity of the Welfare Reform Act is only just now sinking in and its impact on the vulnerable in our society will be profound. At a community meeting in my local area, it was pointed out to us that the DWP have already started sending threatening and uncompassionate letters to vulnerable people – some of whom are caring for their disabled children.

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