A DEMONSTRATION against the controversial “bedroom tax” will be held in Victoria Square next month.

Bolton Against the Bedroom Tax are organising the protest at which a petition calling for an end to the tax signed by 4,000 local people will be presented to local councillors before a march takes place in the town centre.

Speeches will also be made by campaigners leading the fight to the get the “tax”, which they say has had a devastating effect on some of the most vulnerable members of the community, scrapped.

Chris Chilton, press officer for the campaign groups said that 70 per cent of those affected are disabled and for “most it’s a straight choice between food and heat, and paying the tax.

He said: “At the very least it’s a source of constant worry and frustration.”

Mr Chilton added: “Bolton’s campaigners have led the fight against this unfair and ideologically motivated tax.

“It’s a grass roots campaign led by victims of the tax and their effort has been immense.

“Cracks in the coalition consensus around the tax have already developed into huge fractures, with the Lib Dems now openly opposing it and the government offering extra cash to Scotland to enable the SNP to scrap it, as a sweetener for staying in the Union.

“Andrew George’s private members bill has just passed its first reading in Parliament calling for the tax to be suspended until smaller accommodation is available to those affected by the tax, causing a significant defeat for the government.

“One council in Scotland is considering blocking off spare bedrooms to indemnify tenants against the tax.”

He said: “It’s generally recognised now that, as the campaign has said all along, the tax is unfair, pernicious and ideologically motivated. Bolton Against the Bedroom Tax is determined to keep fighting until the tax is scrapped once and for all.”

He said that there were one bedroom opportunities available in Bolton for 3,500 “bedroom taxpayers” and a further 11,000 on the housing list, while larger former council owned properties were lying empty because families cannot afford to move into them.

Mr Chilton said: “These aren’t necessarily unemployed people, but more often families on low pay with insecure hours who rely on housing benefit.”

The protest takes place on Saturday, October 4 from 11am onwards.