Votes in Parliament on the under-occupation deduction from Housing Benefit

This note provides information on when divisions (votes) concerning this controversial measure have taken place in Parliament and on the outcome of those divisions. Details are provided on how the different Parties voted. The policy has been labelled the “bedroom tax” and is also referred to as the “spare room subsidy”.

The Government has used powers contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that, since 1 April 2013, working-age social tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit will experience a reduction in their benefit entitlement if they live in housing that is deemed to be too large for their needs.

Restrictions on entitlement to Housing Benefit based on the size of the accommodation occupied have applied to claimants living in privately rented housing since 1989 (Schedule 3 to the Rent Officers (Additional Function) Order 1989).