Plymouth MP brands cuts to Armed Forces' benefits 'evil'
A BENEFITS cut that could hit the pockets of thousands of frontline troops has been blasted by a city MP.
Alison Seabeck branded Government moves to slash housing benefits as “evil”.
-
The shadow defence minister and Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View was speaking amid fears welfare reforms will hit almost 100,000 Armed Forces personnel.
The Coalition Government wants to crack down on council and housing association tenants who leave bedrooms unoccupied.
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE - Medium Cod, Chips & Mushy Peas at...
View details
Simply Purchase a Medium Cod, Chips and Mushy Peas and receive another portion for FREE.
Sustainable Cod, Fresh Cut Chips & Proper Mushy Peas.
Visit Our Website for more information and offers
Terms: Offer valid only with this Voucher, 1 voucher Per Customer. Not for use with any other offer, Not transferable to other menu items
Contact: 01752 421044
Valid until: Thursday, June 27 2013
Dubbed the ‘bedroom tax’, those who leave their room empty for more than 13 weeks will lose 14 per cent of their housing benefit.
If two rooms in the same property are left vacant for the same period, the claimant would be stripped of 25 per cent of the benefit.
But opposition MPs say the tax will unfairly hit service personnel – and particularly families where, for example, two siblings may be called up to fight in Afghanistan.
Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy said: “Service families and parents or partners of soldiers or reservists could be hit because their loved ones defend our country.
“If you choose to serve you should be rewarded, not penalised.”
Ms Seabeck said trainees would also face losing the cash under rules she said had “not been properly thought through”.
Having heard from worried mothers of service personnel, she had unsuccessfully attempted to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, in the House of Commons before members rose for the Christmas break.
Ms Seabeck told The Herald: “I’ve had two constituents write to me, both mothers.
“One has two children who are serving in the Armed Forces and she is really worried that she is going to be hit by this.
“And she’s right to be worried, because she will be.
“The rules have not been properly thought through. They seem to be incredibly narrow.
“It’s a pretty evil tax anyway, but when you’re talking about service personnel it’s even worse.
“The Government wants to encourage more people to become reservists – and they’re certainly not going to be encouraged looking at this.”
Comments
by Plymouthking
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:04AM
“Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war...
Albert Einstein”
by CharlieDodd
Saturday, December 29 2012, 7:26AM
“The Cameron-Clegg double act just ain't working, Laurel and Hardy were much better”
by Strongbowman
Saturday, December 29 2012, 6:09AM
“Yes Mark. 'sic' from an (ex) serviceman. Your point being?”
by Mark2Plym
Friday, December 28 2012, 11:57PM
“sic - latin from a serviceman?”
by gedonyajanner
Friday, December 28 2012, 8:27PM
“@Plymouthking - Those that sign up to the ARMED forces are prepared to kill and get paid for it.
- you say it like its a bad thing.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf - George Orwell"
Now that quote may not apply to you because you live in a place where you can go about your day without fear of torture or death. Now apply that same quote to a family in Helmand Province who want their children to go to school, or have the choice of what crop to grow (farmers are forced to grow poppies) or do something as simple as flying a kite which was outlawed by the Taliban, if any of those "laws" aren't adhered to people are beaten, tortured and killed by the Taliban, trust me i've seen the aftermath of what happens to farmers who refused to grow poppy crops, lets just say they are no longer with us. Now while the armed forces are within certain towns and villages people are sleeping peacefully knowing they are safe. I'm not saying that's a reason to stay in Helmand as situations like this are happening all over the world. The work being done out there is far from evil.
My how far we've come from a story about housing benefit being slashed hahah”
by Plymouthking
Friday, December 28 2012, 7:04PM
“@gedonyajanner - Those that sign up to the ARMED forces are prepared to kill and get paid for it.
Yes the Politicians decide to fight illegal wars with OUR tax money and OUR lives...but at the end of the day ALL solders are human beings - prepared to kill another human being - because a currpt politician told them to - in a foreign country...they have the choice to pull the trigger - and every choice they made from first signing up! Thats 'real evil'...
If they were in OUR country DEFENDING our rights, our freedoms and our lives...then I'd be right with them with a weapon myself - no payment needed...
So...What's Evil and whats acceptable - clearly have individuals each own interpretation and perception...
Mine is that all wars are EVIL, and that most if NOT ALL - were started with 'False flag' operations...wars cost alot more than the lives that fight them and those that pick the fight - dont fight...send the politicians in first next time...then perhaps we may see more diplomacy!
under international law (1923) no country can use taxes collected to fund illegal wars...technically paying taxes right now is breaking the law and funding illegal wars and killing people...for money and resources and 'power'...much like paying your TV licence is helping coverup Peodos!
Wake up!
peace...”
by gedonyajanner
Friday, December 28 2012, 6:50PM
“@plymouthking - the armed forces don't choose where they go and fight wars. That honour goes to our elected politicians.
I'd be curious to know if you thought the British armed forces were evil if you lived in such countries, easy to say such comments when you don't have the first idea what it's like for most common farmers and traders living under constant threat from real evil (Taliban) daily. Ill agree with you though that there isn't a direct threat to the uk from afghan but evil?...behave!”
by MissAnthrope
Friday, December 28 2012, 5:20PM
“Why don't they bring in reduced pay, terms and conditions for service personnel based in the South West? That way NHS staff might feel a bit less picked on.”
by Plymouthking
Friday, December 28 2012, 5:06PM
“ARMED forces waging illegal wars in territories that pose no threat to our freedoms....now that IS EVIL!”
by Vinnie_Gar
Friday, December 28 2012, 2:32PM
“In saying what she did, Alison Seabeck has made a very strong case for reforming this benefit.
No household with 2 earners living there should get any housing benefit. If they are paying rent when they are at home that money should go to the taxpayer.”