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Opponents of 'bedroom tax' protest throughout UK | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of people across the UK have taken part in demonstrations against changes to the benefits system which they describe as a "bedroom tax". | |
One of the largest marches was in Glasgow, with about 2,500 people. | |
About 1,000 people demonstrated outside Downing Street, with a similar number marching past the Scottish parliament. | |
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said the current system of benefits had to be reformed because it was "unfair". | |
The changes will limit welfare payments to households deemed to have more rooms than they require. | The changes will limit welfare payments to households deemed to have more rooms than they require. |
Those campaigning against the UK government policy have claimed that it is effectively a tax on these households. | Those campaigning against the UK government policy have claimed that it is effectively a tax on these households. |
Bill Scott, from disability campaign group Inclusion Scotland, said two-thirds of UK households affected include a disabled person, rising to four-fifths in Scotland. | |
He added: "It is a disgrace that this government chose to attack disabled people." | |
Disability rights activist Susan Archibald, taking part in the Edinburgh demonstration, said: "We have heard talk about 'strivers and skivers'. | |
"One person can be a striver one day and then get made redundant. Will they be a skiver the next day? That's how easy it happens." | |
Mr Duncan Smith defended the reforms during a visit to Edinburgh on Wednesday. | |
He said: "It is unfair on taxpayers, it is unfair on those in over-crowded accommodation and it is unfair that one group of housing benefit tenants cannot have spare bedrooms and another group are subsidised." |