MORE than 1,000 Pembrokeshire families are affected by the so-called ‘bedroom tax’, but there are only 17 smaller properties available in the county, according to new figures.

The information was released as Housing Minister Carl Sargeant announced that Pembrokeshire will receive £644,730 of £20 million Welsh Government cash allocated to mitigate the effect of the UK Government’s welfare benefit changes.

The money will help registered social landlords build 27 smaller properties in Pembrokeshire to help some affected tenants downsize.

Paul Rutherford, who recently highlighted the problems faced by those caring for disabled relatives and having a spare room used by carers, said the extra homes were a ‘drop in the ocean’ compared to those who needed help.

“While this appears to be a step in the right direction and will help 27 families, it goes no way to help the vast majority of affected households, many of whom are disabled”, he said. “It would be far better for the Senedd to be objecting to this unfair benefit cut.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire Labour parliamentary candidate Paul Miller said the figures across Wales were ‘truly shocking’, but Stephen Crabb, MP, said: “What is fair about 100,000 families in Wales languishing on waiting lists, often in cramped accommodation, when other people are living in houses with empty rooms?”