UN to investigate bedroom tax

A United Nations representative is to take part in a meeting to hear how the bedroom tax is affecting the UK's social housing tenants.

Raquel Rolnik, the UN's special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, will hear from groups from all over Britain at the Anti-Bedroom Tax and Benefit Justice Federation meeting in Manchester next week.

Ms Rolnik has welcomed the opportunity to join the meeting, saying she is "keen to get first-hand stories, insights and analysis of the situation of the right to housing in the UK, in particular of those whose rights are most at risk".

Eileen Short, from the Federation, said: "We will be spelling out in human terms the injustice, insecurity, debt and despair caused by the bedroom tax and other benefit cuts.

"Our rights to secure homes and communities are under attack with evictions already threatened.

"We are glad to welcome the UN special rapporteur to expose the scandal of the UK’s attacks on the poorest and disabled tenants."

Ms Rolnik's official visit to the UK, at the government’s invitation, will include stops in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where she will meet with government officials, as well as a broad range of organisations and individuals who will share first-hand accounts of the country’s housing situation.