Carers UK has responded to today's High Court decision to dismiss a case by 10 disabled people and their families challenging Housing Benefit cuts known as the 'bedroom tax'
Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said: "This is deeply disappointing news for carers and their families who are struggling to cope with the impact of the 'spare room' cuts to Housing Benefits.
Our research has shown that carers and disabled people are being hit hard by this policy and that the Government's discretionary housing payments are not working. The discretionary support simply isn't there for many families who are affected and it is just a temporary solution for the few who are receiving it.
For many carers, a separate room from a disabled partner is essential, not spare. On top of the disruption, expense and stress, forcing families affected by severe illness and disability to move could mean them living in unsuitable accommodation and losing local support networks which enable them to care for disabled loved ones.
Many of these families cannot move and cannot pay the shortfall in their rent – they feel angry and desperate as they face being unable to pay household bills, rent arrears and the risk of eviction. We are determined to continue to fight hard to protect carers and their families."
Full details of the judgement can be found here.
"I have worked for Carers Scotland for 7 years and I know what a difficult job unpaid carers have, often with little acknowledgement. I was a carer myself in the past so I know how demanding it can be - any one of us can become a carer overnight and it can be a life changing experience.