Dundee Liberal Democrats say ageist Housing Benefit policy must be reformed (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee Liberal Democrats say ageist Housing Benefit policy must be reformed

November 3, 2006 7:38 AM

Claire Matthew says ageist Housing Benefit policy must be reformed

Dundee Liberal Democrats have today (Friday 3rd November) lent their support to the campaign by Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson, Danny Alexander MP, to have housing benefit rules which discriminate against the under-25s abolished.

Danny Alexander MP said, "Since the Tories introduced this unjust policy ten years ago thousands of young people have been forced to leave their homes because they can no longer afford to live in them.

"The assumption that prior to your 25th birthday you should only be entitled to live in shared accommodation is both discriminatory and totally out of touch with the real world."

Here in Dundee, local party spokesperson Claire Matthew said, "Labour opposed this Tory policy when it was introduced but has now had nearly 10 years to remove this discrimination against young people. The fact that Labour has failed to act shows how empty its promises are."