Fears over eviction of tenants on eve of 1,000-strong protest

UP TO 1,000 protestors are expected to gather in Leeds in protest at the controversial ‘bedroom tax’ as campaigners estimated that 80,000 households in Yorkshire could be affected by the benefit cuts.

Campaigners are demanding a ‘no eviction’ policy from councils and other social housing providers if they are faced with tenants who fall into rent arrears due to a loss in housing benefit.

The changes came into effect on April 1 and constitute a 14 per cent or 25 per cent cut in housing benefit for working age social housing tenants.

Councils are already trying to ease the burden on tenants.

Leeds Council recently announced it might reclassify 865 of its own properties to protect those tenants from the bedroom tax.

However, campaigners say much more needs to be done to protect the other 88 per cent of households affected.

The Leeds demonstration is organised by Hands Off Our Homes who have been holding local meetings in Seacroft, Armley, Little London/Woodhouse, Gipton, Harehills, Chapeltown and Burmantofts.

Organisers are planning a family friendly march with music, circus performers and a special “kids bloc” for children (with parents or guardians).