THE impact of the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ on communities in the Five Valleys is once again highlighted on our front page today.

This week we learn that 18 of Stroud District Council’s tenants have been served with repossession orders and 134 of them have been driven into arrears as a direct result of the Coalition’s controversial policy.

In the past, SDC’s Labour leadership has rejected the opportunity to adopt a formal no-evictions policy in response to the housing benefit cuts, although senior party members have insisted that just such a policy exists in all but name.

With the serving of repossession orders – widely seen as forerunners to eviction notices –Stroud Against The Cuts has every right to now question that claim.

Members of the group are also entitled to ask why money, earmarked to help those tenants struggling financially, is being handed back to central government by SDC when so many in the district are in arrears and clearly finding it impossible to keep their heads above water.

The council says it has done all it can to help hard-up tenants and make them aware of the discretionary housing payments on offer.

SATC on the other hand claim the authority has made it difficult for some tenants to access the funds and has even denied payments to households in arrears.

All credit to Labour, the party has pledged to scrap the cruel and unjust bedroom tax if it is returned to power at the next general election.

But that alone is not enough. Local councillors must now stand up and be counted by ensuring no families are forced from their homes.