MORE disabled people will now be able to get help to combat the ‘bedroom tax’ following a dramatic change of policy by Inverclyde Council.

The news was broken to the Tele as ‘Bin the Bedroom Tax Inverclyde’ activists were about to stage a rally in Clyde Square, protesting that the council was discriminating against disabled people affected by the tax.

The campaigners today claim the u-turn was a victory for them.

The council was refusing to give discretionary housing payments (DHPs) to some disabled people because they already received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefit.

The housing relief payments are regarded as a way of stopping people being evicted as a result of arrears caused by the UK Government’s controversial levy.

Yesterday’s demo took place just before the council’s policy and resources committee was due to meet and consider a surprise motion put forward by council leader Stephen McCabe.

Councillor McCabe told the Tele in Clyde Square: “Some councils take DLA into consideration when awarding DHP and others don’t. I have proposed that Inverclyde Council will now remove DLA from the calculation.

“This means that, from the beginning of next month, more disabled people will receive DHP — but other people will get less DHP because there is only a certain amount that we are allowed to spend.” He said the change was being made after taking into consideration points made by ‘Bin the Bedroom Tax Inverclyde’, councillors and the general public.

The Tele broke the news to campaign group chairman, Garry Maclachlan, and to SNP councillor and disability activist Jim MacLeod, who were both taking part in the protest.

Mr Maclachlan said: “This is absolutely fantastic, but I still think the council should disregard the Westminster Government ‘cap’ on DHP payments and give them to everyone affected by the bedroom tax.” Councillor MacLeod said: “It’s brilliant news that DLA will no longer be taken into account.”