LIBERAL Democrats in the borough have welcomed Nick Clegg’s call to re-think the spare room subsidy - otherwise known as the bedroom tax.

It comes as government research proved only one in 20 affected had been able to move to a smaller home and more people were facing rent arrears.

Lib Dem ministers are calling for disabled adults to be automatically exempt and for people to only lose some benefit if they are offered a suitable smaller home but choose not to move.

Lib Dem leader on the council Clr Ian Marks said: “As people who are close to our local communities, Lib Dem councillors have had serious reservations about this policy from the start. We hoped that this policy would free up properties for those in overcrowded accommodation, but this clearly has not happened on a large enough scale. People have ended up paying the difference, further cutting into their already stretched budgets.

“We are pleased that Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander have now listened to the concerns Lib Dem councillors have been raising.

“We call on the Conservatives in the Government to support the Lib Dem call for urgent reform."