REBECCA Evans, AM for Mid and West Wales, has welcomed Ed Miliband’s pledge to abolish the coalition’s “vicious and iniquitous bedroom tax” if Labour is returned to power at the next election.

Mrs Evans, who has long been calling for the policy to be scrapped, said: “The bedroom tax is proven to be unfair and unworkable. Quite simply, there just are not enough smaller properties for people to move to.

“The policy has plunged thousands of people into rent arrears, and is hitting disabled people and their families particularly hard.

"Back in May, I showed how the UK Government’s own impact assessment recognised the disproportionate affect that their policy might have on rural areas too.

"The assessment carried out by the Department of Work and Pensions recognised that the policy could have greater impact in rural areas due to the lack of available accommodation locally. The assessment also acknowledged that a result of the bedroom tax may be that people would be forced to move further away to find appropriate accommodation.

"Amazingly, despite admitting that the bedroom tax could have a disproportionate effect on rural communities, the UK Government didn't undertake a specific rural impact assessment to fully investigate the problems it may pose. It seems they are quite comfortable with pushing forward with metropolitan policies that have a harsh effect on rural communities.

“I am delighted that Ed Miliband has announced that Labour will scrap the policy. Of course, it is by no means a done deal. Labour will need to win the general election for the policy to be consigned to the history books.”