On Tuesday 12 November, Labour forced a debate in the House of Commons to try and get the Government to repeal their bedroom tax. I’m sorry to say that the Tories and Lib Dems won the vote and they chose to keep this deeply unfair policy.

I’ve seen firsthand the huge distress and financial hardship caused by the bedroom tax, which hits some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Many of the 2,400 people currently affected in Leicester are genuinely sick and disabled. Moving is not an option for them as they need a room for their partner or children who provide vital care.

Hitting these families with an average bill of £720 a year whilst handing millionaires an average tax cut of £100,000 is completely wrong.

The bedroom tax is also likely to end up costing taxpayers more, as many people are forced to move to more expensive private rented housing which will lead to higher benefit bills.

That’s why the next Labour will abolish the bedroom tax immediately, if we are elected.