Wrong answer

Confirmation from local government body Cosla that the “bedroom tax” is costing the public purse more than it was intended to save (your report, 22 November) should come as no surprise. In some ways, it simply highlights the problems in controlling public expenditure in any area.

A rise in unemployment has caused a fourfold effect on the Exchequer: individuals pay less tax; they need to claim more benefits; the economy loses their service or production, and there is an increased possibility they will have to call on the social services for help.

The result is the need for more public spending.

The dreadful aspects of what the coalition government has called the “spare room subsidy” have been laid bare.

But it does not follow that MSP Jackie Baillie’s bill to effectively make illegal evictions on the grounds of “bedroom tax” arrears is right.