Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East

BEDROOM TAX

Staff in my office did some work through the Freedom of Information Act on the impact of bedroom tax, introduced by the UK Coalition Government.

The research showed that many more tenants were being forced to turn to their local authorities for top-up help with their housing costs as a result of this piece of welfare reform. This legislation has cut their benefit based on the number of bedrooms they have.

In fact, Gwent local authorities found the number of applications for discretionary housing payments rose dramatically in the first couple of months after bedroom tax came into operation in April.

The issue is that many people, who have lived in the same community in Gwent, perhaps for decades, now have to find ways of making good the cuts in benefit or look to move to other accommodation. But the problem is that there is not the suitable alternative accommodation for them, leaving people stuck and struggling harder to make ends meet at a time when food, energy and fuel prices continue to rise.

So given the situation many ordinary people find themselves in it is hugely disappointing that Labour’s Shadow Ministers have refused to give a commitment to repealing the bedroom tax. Labour talk about it being an immoral and nasty tax, which it is, but without a commitment they are behaving just like the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

VISITS

I was very impressed by the work of the RSPCA centre at Newport where I spent a day. As an animal lover with two cats, it was marvellous to see the love shown by volunteers.

The visit then made me think how could people neglect and treat their animals so badly. It takes a huge amount of work by those at the RSPCA to nursing them back to health for rehoming.

There were lots of great dogs, cats, rabbits and even a ferret needing rehoming so I would urge readers who feel they can give love to an animal to visit the centre. Animals are hugely rewarding as they become very much part of the family.

I also took the opportunity to visit the British Heart Foundation shop in the city centre. The funds raised are vital to held research work and both employees and volunteers play an important role in keeping operations running smoothly.

Their work also saves the council from having to find landfill space for loads of furniture which is expertly refurbished by the charity for sale.

ENDS