Labour’s Andrew Pakes and Councillor Pete Marland have welcomed news that Labour will scrap the bedroom tax if elected in 2015.

It is estimated that around 2,000 households in Milton Keynes are affected by the bedroom tax. The latest information suggests that around 300 council tenants affected by the charge are already in rent arrears.

Andrew Pakes, Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Milton Keynes South, said:

“I welcome Labour’s announcement that we will scrap the bedroom tax if elected in 2015. This is a regressive, unfair, ineffective tax that has already driven 300 households in Milton Keynes into rent arrears. Life is getting tougher for ordinary families and they need a government that is on their side. Our local Tories care more about the privileged few than they do in helping ordinary families.”

Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of the Labour Group on Milton Keynes Council, added:

“I am pleased that Ed Miliband has listened to councillors experience of the bedroom tax. With hundreds of families affected in Milton Keynes this is the right thing to do. It is a positive pledge that will save money and end a truly regressive attack on the poorest in our community, and actually costs more money than it saves.”