Housing Benefit debate

The House of Commons debate on the proposed housing benefit reforms is to take place this afternoon. The debate outside Parliament has led to some very emotive remarks, with Polly Toynbee of the Guardian even referring to the policy as a 'final solution' (for which she later apologised as being inappropriate). Organisations such as Shelter, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Housing Federation, and even Boris Johnson, have also waded in, with predictions of chaos and of hundreds or thousands of people being displaced from more expensive areas, leading to 'ghettos' of rich and poor being created. The Labour Party, who have called this debate, are clearly hoping to either embarass the Lib Dems, or to get them to vote against the coalition. Be sure to listen or watch this afternoon, for what should prove to be a very interesting debate.