Star date: 21st April 2013

BEDROOM TAX HORROR STORIES ON SALFORD MARCH

Salford people marched from Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton yesterday to join the Manchester protest against the hated Bedroom Tax. On the march was Kelly Shortman, who is getting told by Salix Homes that her fostered niece has to share a room with her seven year old son – or face massive financial penalties.

Full details here…

Yesterday around fifty people from all over Salford gathered in Lower Broughton's Mocha Parade and marched into Manchester to join a larger protest against the ConDem Government's Bedroom Tax.

Amongst the marchers was Kelly Shortman, from Lower Broughton, who is another victim of the mad Tax. For three years Kelly has fostered her five year old niece but is now being told by Salix Homes that unless the girl shares a room with Kelly's seven year old son the Tax will apply.

"They've told me that because she's not my own child, and because she's not under the authority, she doesn't exist so they wanted her to share a room with my youngest son and it's not happening" said Kelly

"She was up for adoption and it was only me that stopped it and she's with me until she's 18" Kelly explained "But when I phoned Salix yesterday they said she doesn't exist. I said `What do you mean? She's here, she lives with me, what do you want me to do kick her out? If she was fostered or adopted you'd have to find her a room.'

"They wanted £9 off me and £9 off my partner per week, and they're saying something about arrears already of over £1000" she added "I'm not paying it, she shouldn't be sharing at that age. They've just spent money putting lights on the football pitch near my home. They've got money for that…"

Friends marching with Kelly supported her totally… "She's good enough to take a kid on for her family and she's getting penalised for doing it" said Madge Kelly "Imagine if that kid had to go into care how much it would cost them."

All agreed that any attempts to evict Kelly will be resisted by the whole community.

As the march went from Mocha Parade, down Trinty and Chapel Street, bystanders clapped and car drivers beeped their approval, before the march met up with hundreds of protesters outside Manchester Town Hall to complete the final leg to Piccadilly Gardens.

Everyone agreed that as bills drop through people's doors, and reality dawns on the unfairness of the Bedroom Tax these regular protests will grow and grow.

• Two more Salford Against The Bedroom Tax activities are taking place this week…

LITTLE HULTON and WALKDEN AGAINST THE BEDROOM TAX
Thursday, 25th April 2pm
Little Hulton and Walkden Against the Bedroom Tax will be protesting at the Little Hulton offices of City West in Little Hulton District Centre at 2pm.

ORDSALL AGAINST THE BEDROOM TAX
Thursday 25th April
Ordsall British Legion 7pm
Organising meeting for Ordsall against the Bedroom Tax.

See also previous Salford Star article on Mocha Parade meeting point - click here