THE Wales housing Minister has announced that Newport will get £1,336,006 of the £20 million the Welsh Government has allocated to relieve the effect of the ‘bedroom tax’.

The funding will help registered social landlords in Newport build 31 smaller properties which will enable some of the 2,325 households affected by the bedroom tax to downsize.

Caerphilly borough received the largest pot of funding of the Gwent counties, receiving £1,583,095, to build 24 properties to assist in downsizing some of its 2,755 households effected. The Minster Carl Sargeant said: "Since the rules relating to housing benefit and size of household changed on 1 April this year, we have seen increased demand for smaller, one and two bedroom properties.

"I am determined to do what I can to support tenants so that there is the least possible damage to our communities but recognize that these new homes are only a fraction of what is needed to counter the impact of the UK Government’s benefit changes."

South Wales Argus: bedroom tax table