Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Fears for housing associations' income streams.

A large proportion of tenants hit by the bedroom tax have so far failed to pay the resulting shortfall in their rent.

The controversial policy was introduced on 1st April and, nationally, thousands of tenants have not covered their rent since then.

In Liverpool half of those affected have not paid anything to cover the shortfall, Guinness Partnership say that a third of their tenants have not met the shortfall, whilst in Yorkshire 25% of tenants have not paid anything to cover their shortfall.

These figures could have serious consequences for local housing associations and their cashflow.