A furious row erupted within the Coalition today after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced a dramatic reversal of Liberal Democrat support for the Bedroom Tax. The Tories immediately accused their coalition partners of a 'cynical PR stunt' and insisted the policy would remain in place.
Mr Clegg revealed the Lib Dems would push to scrap the tax before the general election, exempting all disabled people and only docking housing benefit from social tenants who refuse a smaller property. The changes would cost an estimated £180 million.
Downing Street hit back, stating the Conservatives remained committed to the tax. A Tory spokesman said: 'Bringing the bloated Housing Benefit bill under control is a key part of our long-term plan to fix welfare. Our reforms are working – and it’s imperative we stick to them.' Welfare minister Lord Freud, the policy's architect, reminded peers the Lib Dems had signed up to it at the start of the Parliament.
Labour also attacked Mr Clegg, accusing him of hypocrisy. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Rachel Reeves said: 'The Lib Dems voted for the bedroom tax. There wouldn’t be a bedroom tax if it wasn’t for the Lib Dems.' She challenged them to back a Commons vote to scrap the tax.
Defending his change of heart on his LBC radio show, Mr Clegg said: 'Unlike Labour, we are not sticking our heads in the sand. Unlike the Conservatives, we want to do it as fairly as possible.' He cited a government-commissioned report showing the tax was not working as intended.
