News - Debates

Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK
YES The controversial bedroom tax, which came into effect last year, taxes people living in social housing with more bedrooms than occupants. Under the new policy, people with one ‘spare’ bedroom in their council or housing association home lose 14 per cent of their housing benefit...

Iain Duncan Smith, Work and Pensions Secretary
NO The Government claims nearly one third of working-age social housing tenants on housing benefit are living in accommodation too big for their needs. Iain Duncan Smith said: “There are about 400,000 working age households on housing benefit in under-occupied social housing...

Trevor Brocklebank, chief executive of Home Instead Senior Care
YES The Government’s plans to replace face to face GP appointments with consultations on Skype or iPads but there is the fear that it could increase the isolation and loneliness felt by those who are housebound. Trevor Brocklebank is worried the Government will bring in reforms...

Andrew Graley, healthcare director at Polycom EMEA, a provider of video conferencing equipment
NO Mr Graley believes criticism of the reforms is down to fear of change. He says: “People like to stick with the familiar, so it’s no surprise that for many of us, the initial reaction is to reject Jeremy Hunt’s initiative. At the same time, telemedicine has already proven...