AN MP says the so-called bedroom tax is severely affecting the most vulnerable people in her constituency.

Durham City Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods spoke out after a Labour motion to abolish the spare room subsidy measure, under which working-age council and housing association tenants have their housing benefit reduced if they are judged to have spare rooms, was defeated in the Commons.

Liberal Democrat MPs did not support the motion, allowing the Government to win the vote 298 to 266.

Dr Blackman-Woods said 1,085 people in her constituency had been hit by the bedroom tax since its introduction last year.

“The rules are quite draconian and prevent many people (from meeting) caring responsibilities, including for their grandchildren, or for disabled people to have their needs fully taken into account.

“The scheme relies on local discretionary payments which may not always be available, leading to added stress for many vulnerable people,” the MP said.

In the Commons, work and pensions minister Mark Harper said Labour would rather talk about anything than the positive job figures and was contriving to scare people.