AN OPPOSITION party has called for the Welsh government to ensure no one is evicted as a result of the so-called bedroom tax.

Under UK government cuts that came into force last April claimants have seen their housing benefit cut if they are deemed to have too many bedrooms.

Gwent Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies said the cuts, which have been dubbed the bedroom tax by campaigners, are totally unfair with often no alternative accomodation for families to go to.

“Families have no alternative except to find the money to stay in their homes,” said the South Wales East AM.

“Plaid Cymru has argued for a no-evictions policy as a result of the tax. This would be both practical for local councils and housing authorities, and for tenants, and would stop the situation escalating into a crisis.

“The cost of rehousing individuals or families who are made homeless, including loss of rent for void properties, housing improvements and the rehousing process itself would be much greater than the arrears resulting from the bedroom tax.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have consistently voiced our concerns regarding the way in which people across Wales are suffering real hardship as a result of the UK government’s welfare changes.

“We are committed to doing all we can to find ways of helping tenants and social housing landlords to mitigate the effects of this damaging policy.”