Rotherham cuts will make thousands £12 a week worse off

Changes to housing benefit will affect 3,570 people in Rotherham from next year.

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey warned: "I know from the contact I have with people locally that household budgets are already stretched.

"This will have a major impact on familes struggling to make ends meet - and it could tip them over the edge."

Housing benefit can be paid to working households on low incomes who need help to pay rent.

Mr Healey added: "Many people do work hard but don't earn enough to be able to cope with housing costs.

"I'm concerned that these cuts could mean people falling into arrears and being forced to leave their homes and uproot their families."

Andy Nutley, service manager for Shelter in South Yorkshire, said: "At Shelter we are particularly concerned regarding the proposed changes to housing benefit.

"Because of the increased shortfall between the amount they receive and the rent they pay, many will be forced to cut back on essentials like food and electricity, or take on extra debt, just to make ends meet.

"Despite trying everything they can to stay afloat, some will be pushed over the edge into a spiral of debt, eviction and homelessness."

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Rotherham cuts will make thousands £12 a week worse off - claim