Mother of teenage soldiers hits out at housing benefit cuts (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Mother of teenage soldiers hits out at housing benefit cuts
8:00am Friday 23rd November 2012 in News
By Robert Merrick, Parliamentary Correspondent
STRUGGLE: Alison Huggan shows photographs of sons, Anas and Aaron
TWO teenage North-East soldiers will have nowhere to sleep when they return home from barracks because of housing benefit cuts, an MP has warned.
Single mum Alison Huggan brought up 18-year-old Anas and Aaron in a three-bedroom house in Coulby Newham, in Middlesbrough.
But the family - because the boys have joined the Army - has been hit by the so-called 'bedroom tax', which will slash housing benefit in cases of "under-occupancy", from next April.
Anyone deemed to have a spare bedroom will lose 14 per cent of their social housing help - or 25 per cent if they have two spare rooms - threatening Ms Huggan with a loss of nearly £1,000 a year.
Ms Huggan has spoken with her housing association about moving to a one-bedroom home, but has been told that none are likely to be available - throwing family life into turmoil.
One of the strongest criticisms of the 'bedroom tax' is that there are no smaller homes for 95,000 affected families across England, with the North-East the hardest hit area.
Ms Huggan said: "The government has made no concessions and have totally disregarded personal circumstances.
"If the government forces these changes it means that, when my sons return home after defending our country and serving its people, they will not have a bed to sleep in at their family home."
Anas has joined the Yorkshire Regiment, while Aaron is a Fusilier, based at Catterick, having recently graduated from Army Foundation College.
The issue was raised in the Commons, where Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, accused ministers of breaching the 'military covenant'.
Mr Blenkinsop said numerous families across his constituency would be hit by the cut, including the disabled whose homes had been altered to enable them to live there.
He told MPs: "I found Alison's, and her sons', situation particularly distressing as it wasn't too long ago that the Armed Forces Covenant was enshrined in law.
"That was meant to recognise that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.
"Yet the lack of consideration given to that commitment - when the bedroom tax comes into force - is shameful."
In response, Mike Penning, a Northern Ireland minister, said the "benefit structure" was being considered by the military covenant committee, which would report back before Christmas.
But a rethink on the 'bedroom tax' is unlikely. Ministers - faced with a housing benefit bill topping £21bn a year and rising - have insisted costs have to be cut.
Comments(45)
soulie67
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10:21am Fri 23 Nov 12
ac63
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10:40am Fri 23 Nov 12
Topcat28
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11:41am Fri 23 Nov 12
There are a number of people in the current climate struggling to get by who are not in a position to claim any support from the government let alone would they want to. I have no sympathy.
IanfromCrook
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1:27pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Who voted for this?
loonyleft
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1:46pm Fri 23 Nov 12
ArtDecoGirl
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2:01pm Fri 23 Nov 12
jude666
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2:21pm Fri 23 Nov 12
loonyleft
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2:56pm Fri 23 Nov 12
loonyleft
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2:56pm Fri 23 Nov 12
5under1and
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5:24pm Fri 23 Nov 12
loonyleft
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6:25pm Fri 23 Nov 12
stevegg
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8:18pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Jonn
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9:37pm Fri 23 Nov 12
stevegg wrote:The 5% wasn't an increase, it was inline with inflation so you are incorrect. Any over 25 Job Seeker on £68 pw would have 'enjoyed' an eye watering £3 extra per week.
Its about time those who contribute nothing to the public purse suffer, most of whom are in many ways financially better off than the average taxpayer. I get sick of hearing how people on benefits are always hard done to at the slightest cut when taxpayers have suffered and are going to continue to suffer for years to come. I have had no pay rise for 3 years yet had to endure the thought of paying taxes so those on benefits could enjoy a 5% increase this year. The UK has one of the most generous benefits systems in the world with a weak accounting system which is overabused by millions and an increasing drain on the public purse, for the first time ever the amount of money put into the system is being outstripped by that being taken out which is unsustainable for taxpayers and totally unfair on them. Were all in this together so its only fair those exploiting the over generous system took some of the pain as well.
Robert_
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11:10pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Robert_
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11:10pm Fri 23 Nov 12
johnny_p
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12:21am Sat 24 Nov 12
A bit of a non story?
Duke of Aycliffe
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1:08pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Both my wife & I both work hard, own our house & enjoy a reasonable standard of living. This is because we both work hard.
We don't sit around waiting for handouts blaming everyone else. We both have young children, still work full time.
If this woman's sons are in the Army, well then potential employers would love her. No child care issues or schools being off in the winter. Overtime wouldn't be an issue. So she has an advangtage over other job seekers.
Sorry, but I don't have any sympathy for her & this is why the country is in a poor state financially. Too many people in this country & in the NE think that the government owes them a living.
Taxpaying Homeowner
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8:25am Sun 25 Nov 12
Jonn wrote:So if you are working and you did get an extra 5% per year would that also not be a pay increase?? Benefits may be subject to inflation linked raises which is all well and good but don't insult us by trying to claim that these are not increases. £3 perweek is still an extra £156 per year which is better than nothing, for nothing!!
stevegg wrote:The 5% wasn't an increase, it was inline with inflation so you are incorrect. Any over 25 Job Seeker on £68 pw would have 'enjoyed' an eye watering £3 extra per week.
Its about time those who contribute nothing to the public purse suffer, most of whom are in many ways financially better off than the average taxpayer. I get sick of hearing how people on benefits are always hard done to at the slightest cut when taxpayers have suffered and are going to continue to suffer for years to come. I have had no pay rise for 3 years yet had to endure the thought of paying taxes so those on benefits could enjoy a 5% increase this year. The UK has one of the most generous benefits systems in the world with a weak accounting system which is overabused by millions and an increasing drain on the public purse, for the first time ever the amount of money put into the system is being outstripped by that being taken out which is unsustainable for taxpayers and totally unfair on them. Were all in this together so its only fair those exploiting the over generous system took some of the pain as well.
Its about time people like you got a grip and understood that benefits are not an entitlement!!
loonyleft
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10:45am Sun 25 Nov 12
Tracytinkler
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7:34pm Sun 25 Nov 12
soulie67 wrote:This lady has 2 voluntary jobs, has just finished a degree and is constantly applying for jobs! She has worked all through her children's lives, please think before you comment!
THE GOVERMENTS NEW CHRISTMAS SONG.... You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry, You Better Pay Up, Im Telling You Why, Mr Cameron’s Coming 2 Town. He's Making His Cuts, Checking Them Twice, He Doesn't Think That Benefits Are Nice, Mr Cameron’s Coming 2 Town. He Sees Where You Are Sleeping, He Knows If A Bedrooms §pare, That Empty Bed Cant Hide From Him, He Can Tell If No One's There. & If You've Àny Children, & They Number More Than Two, You'd Better Hide The Others, Or He'll Tax You For Them Too! He Can't Wait 4 April, He's Planned Who He Will Curse, With Extra Cuts So He Can Make Next Years Christmas Even Worse!
Tracytinkler
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7:37pm Sun 25 Nov 12
Topcat28 wrote:To the individual who is saying the household income is over 30,000 please excerise some common sense if her sons are in the army then they are not contributing to the household income as they have to pay for their own housing whilst in the forces it is while they are home on leave the article is discussing! This lady works 2 volunteer jobs and has just completed a batchelor of sciences degree to obtain a job! Please think about this before you comment!
I really fail to see the issue from the point of the individual. The joint income for the household will be over 30,000 at least. The story only seems to have been brought to the attention of the public because her sons are in the army. Not really sure on the relevance of this.
There are a number of people in the current climate struggling to get by who are not in a position to claim any support from the government let alone would they want to. I have no sympathy.
Tracytinkler
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7:39pm Sun 25 Nov 12
Tracytinkler wrote:This post has gone under the wrong comment sorry
soulie67 wrote:This lady has 2 voluntary jobs, has just finished a degree and is constantly applying for jobs! She has worked all through her children's lives, please think before you comment!
THE GOVERMENTS NEW CHRISTMAS SONG.... You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry, You Better Pay Up, Im Telling You Why, Mr Cameron’s Coming 2 Town. He's Making His Cuts, Checking Them Twice, He Doesn't Think That Benefits Are Nice, Mr Cameron’s Coming 2 Town. He Sees Where You Are Sleeping, He Knows If A Bedrooms §pare, That Empty Bed Cant Hide From Him, He Can Tell If No One's There. & If You've Àny Children, & They Number More Than Two, You'd Better Hide The Others, Or He'll Tax You For Them Too! He Can't Wait 4 April, He's Planned Who He Will Curse, With Extra Cuts So He Can Make Next Years Christmas Even Worse!
outragedofmiltonkeynes
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9:05pm Sun 25 Nov 12
johnny_p
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9:17pm Sun 25 Nov 12
Duke of Aycliffe wrote:Well said. I've never been out of work- when I couldn't get the jobs I wanted I've done it all, cleaning, bar work and fruit picking.
Why is it on The Northern Echo comments board that people who work hard & pay their own way in life, are criticised & condemned as nasty or selfish?
Both my wife & I both work hard, own our house & enjoy a reasonable standard of living. This is because we both work hard.
We don't sit around waiting for handouts blaming everyone else. We both have young children, still work full time.
If this woman's sons are in the Army, well then potential employers would love her. No child care issues or schools being off in the winter. Overtime wouldn't be an issue. So she has an advangtage over other job seekers.
Sorry, but I don't have any sympathy for her & this is why the country is in a poor state financially. Too many people in this country & in the NE think that the government owes them a living.
The Eastern Europeans coming to the UK don't seem to have problems finding work- so what excuses does she have?
Or am I being "nasty"?!
Tracytinkler
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10:08am Mon 26 Nov 12
outragedofmiltonkeynShe has worked all her life, and paid taxes, some people are not fortunate to be in constant employment in this economy so the lady has tried to do something about it. She does volunteer work all week to pay back into society! Would you work for no pay?
es wrote:
So if she has a batchelors degree she will be in a strong position to find a well paid job and stop taking money out my pocket for doing bugger all. The sheer audacity of some people is staggering, how can anyone complain about getting a reduction in money that they dont have to do anything for in the first place? Oh yes and when she does start to put something back into the pot give her a higher tax code to make up for the money claimed.
the-big-yin
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6:23pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Tracytinkler wrote:well said...same old trolls on here drifting off the subject...our lasses mother has lived in her 3 bedroom house for 30+ years..raised her kids up in that house...worked until becoming ill, and now is being forced to look for a smaller property in crook...which the council say there are none available, and probably will never be any for a good few years......her grand kids will then be unable to stay when she eventually finds a 1 bedroom property...
outragedofmiltonkeynShe has worked all her life, and paid taxes, some people are not fortunate to be in constant employment in this economy so the lady has tried to do something about it. She does volunteer work all week to pay back into society! Would you work for no pay?
es wrote:
So if she has a batchelors degree she will be in a strong position to find a well paid job and stop taking money out my pocket for doing bugger all. The sheer audacity of some people is staggering, how can anyone complain about getting a reduction in money that they dont have to do anything for in the first place? Oh yes and when she does start to put something back into the pot give her a higher tax code to make up for the money claimed.
so mr cameron and his con / lib coalition needs to re- think their plans...
Idontknowaboutyoubut
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8:21pm Mon 26 Nov 12
We should be angry with the fat cat bankers,and their mega bonuses.We should be angry with the tax dodging multi nationals.We should be angry with the expenses-fiddling MPs,and the tax cuts from Osborne for his super rich chums.Instead,you lot attack the weakest and most vulnerable of us.
I suspect that it,s because you like to have someone to look down on.Someone lower than yourselves.You are cowards really.You darent take on the rich big boys...
outragedofmiltonkeynes
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10:30pm Mon 26 Nov 12
soulsearcher
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10:37pm Mon 26 Nov 12
looks like they guys wont be able to stay there but they could pay for accommodation being in the forces doesn't mean anything
loonyleft
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11:15pm Mon 26 Nov 12
loonyleft
says...
11:15pm Mon 26 Nov 12
loonyleft
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11:15pm Mon 26 Nov 12
outragedofmiltonkeynes
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12:31am Tue 27 Nov 12
As for not living in the area you really are ignorant of everything outside your very small gene pool arent you?
Porca miseria
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7:12am Tue 27 Nov 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:Got it in one, just hope those that flog their guts out, never get made redundant and have to find new work. Granted there are those that won't work and will avoid it at all cost, but they are the minority to condemn and look down on the less fortunate is spiteful, vile and cowardly.
I have to hand it to Cam&Co.They have suceeded in turning the common people(thats us!)against each other.
We should be angry with the fat cat bankers,and their mega bonuses.We should be angry with the tax dodging multi nationals.We should be angry with the expenses-fiddling MPs,and the tax cuts from Osborne for his super rich chums.Instead,you lot attack the weakest and most vulnerable of us.
I suspect that it,s because you like to have someone to look down on.Someone lower than yourselves.You are cowards really.You darent take on the rich big boys...
Browsing
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9:57am Tue 27 Nov 12
Stop whinging woman.
marilyn49
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2:55pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:Well said -divide and conquer is the Tories plan and human nature being what it is , it works!
I have to hand it to Cam&Co.They have suceeded in turning the common people(thats us!)against each other.
We should be angry with the fat cat bankers,and their mega bonuses.We should be angry with the tax dodging multi nationals.We should be angry with the expenses-fiddling MPs,and the tax cuts from Osborne for his super rich chums.Instead,you lot attack the weakest and most vulnerable of us.
I suspect that it,s because you like to have someone to look down on.Someone lower than yourselves.You are cowards really.You darent take on the rich big boys...
marilyn49
says...
2:55pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:Well said -divide and conquer is the Tories plan and human nature being what it is , it works!
I have to hand it to Cam&Co.They have suceeded in turning the common people(thats us!)against each other.
We should be angry with the fat cat bankers,and their mega bonuses.We should be angry with the tax dodging multi nationals.We should be angry with the expenses-fiddling MPs,and the tax cuts from Osborne for his super rich chums.Instead,you lot attack the weakest and most vulnerable of us.
I suspect that it,s because you like to have someone to look down on.Someone lower than yourselves.You are cowards really.You darent take on the rich big boys...
jude666
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3:51pm Wed 28 Nov 12
oldgit57
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1:01pm Thu 29 Nov 12
A.Smith 71
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1:21pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Their address is not her home it will be the barraks they are stationed at, they are not on her council tax bill, nor can they take out credit or insure a vehicle legally at that address as it is not their place of residence.
Why should someone sit at home with 2 spare rooms just in case her children want to come visit and us the tax payer foot the ever increasing bill? To lose £1000 per annum is a lot but then again when you are getting just short of £350 per month on top of benefits with no council tax and minimal water rates to pay it all helps.
On the part about her recently passing her degree I bet this was fully funded by benefits and does not carry the same debt as taken on by the usual school leavers.
outragedofmiltonkeynes
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1:56pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Lucy91
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2:28pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Get a job love-don't stand there looking sad holding up pictures of your sons.
A.Smith 71
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4:31pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Lucy91 wrote:Well said.
The same people are commenting here as everywhere else on this site.unemployed layabouts who want to get big hand outs from people who are prepared to work.My boyfriend was in the army, got a commission (came from an ordinary working class family) and now runs a business.He knows exactly what these people are like.
Get a job love-don't stand there looking sad holding up pictures of your sons.
The ones that are commenting are anti tory, but didn't Labour say that the tories were stealing their plans regarding a shake up of the system?
Lets be honest, why does a single person need to be in a 3 bedroom property paid for by the state? If she had a mortgage and lost her job then it would be different her getting some assistance for a certain duration.
I am sure that she can find a family looking to move from a 1/2 bed property will to do a swap!
outragedofmiltonkeynes
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9:45pm Thu 29 Nov 12
sarahd says...
10:11am Fri 23 Nov 12