Bedroom tax leaves pupils hungry and stressed, study finds

The report entitled ‘The Impacts of the bedroom tax on children and their education’ found that forcing children to share rooms in order to reduce housing benefit resulted in many pupils not having a quiet place for homework or undisturbed sleep.

The regulations were introduced in April 2013, and instructed that those judged to be living in houses with spare rooms receive less funding through benefits. Along with these changes, a range of other benefit changes were introduced, affecting the incomes of working-age adults.

The changes led to an average £11 per week reduction in housing benefit payments, or £572 per year, for those deemed to have a spare bedroom.

The report studied 14 parents and nearly 40 representatives from 20 schools and community organisations over a 16 month period. It found that parents were being forced to cut back on food, heating and forego warm winter clothes, shoes and school uniforms as a result of the reduction in benefits.

The after effects of the cuts also meant that families became more isolated, as children’s access to friends and after-school activities were reduced. In addition some parents claimed they regularly went without meals to ensure their children could eat.

The report concluded by warning that it is time for the government to review the policy.

Professor Ruth Lupton, from the University of Manchester, said: “The findings of this study confirm a wider picture emerging from research which points to the bedroom tax failing to meet its original aims while contributing to significant hardship among low-income families.

“Our study suggests that the pressure put on families by this cut in benefits may also be working contrary to other policies that are intended to support child wellbeing and educational achievement, diminishing their effectiveness.”

Professor Erica Burman, also from the University, said: “The government should review its policy. Doing so would show a greater commitment to supporting children, helping parents to maintain their responsibilities, reinforcing communities, tackling educational inequalities and ensuring that the effects of austerity do not fall disproportionately on poor families.”

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