Simon Hughes' words on housing benefit changes - 'harsh and draconian' - are right but I want to see him and others like him back their words with actions. A roof over your head is a basic need and the changes risk significantly increasing homelessness - on top of all the extra risk of a lot more unemployment, cuts in councils services and so on...Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes is threatening a backbench rebellion over planned cuts to housing benefit.
The party's deputy leader told Channel 4 News some of the proposals were "harsh and draconian".
In its Spending Review last week, the government announced major changes to housing benefit - including cutting it by 10% for the long-term jobless....
...The government is proposing the biggest shake-up in housing in decades - cutting money for new social housing by 50% and allowing housing associations to charge new tenants close to the full market rate for rent...
