No Scots bedroom tax, Sturgeon tells UK ministers

THE coalition government’s controversial bedroom tax should not be imposed on Scotland, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told UK ministers during talks in London today.

Ms Sturgeon attacked the tax, which will mean social housing tenants with spare bedrooms must move to a smaller home or lose up to 25 per cent of housing benefit.

She told a meeting of ministers from Westminster and the UK devolved administrations that the policy was “misguided” and “must be withdrawn” ahead of its introduction next month.

The demand came ahead of a speech Ms Sturgeon is due to be deliver in Edinburgh tomorrow (Thurs), when she will set out her vision of how independence will help end child poverty.

Ms Sturgeon, speaking after the meeting chaired by Deputy First Minister Nick Clegg, said: “Our view on the bedroom tax is clear. It is a misguided policy that must be withdrawn.

“This meeting was a good opportunity to make that point abundantly clear, although there remains little indication that the UK Government is prepared to change course.”