SDLP Social Development spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has welcomed research by the NI Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) which suggest that the so called bedroom tax changes would cost £21 million but reduce the benefits bill by just £17 million.

Mr Durkan who along with SDLP colleagues has consistently raised concerns about the proposed tax has argued that the estimated cost of implementing it is in fact conservative.

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Mr Durkan said: "I want to praise NIFHA and CIH for the research they have conducted. The figures produced confirm what the SDLP have been saying, that the cost of imposing bedroom tax greatly outweighs any savings that may be made.

"Our party has been continuously admonished by others for suggesting that the bedroom tax was unworkable. They have hidden behind a false premise that this tax will bring real savings and today's figures disprove that entirely.

"This research while welcome produces a figure of cost which I would suggest is a conservative one. The money allocated for Discretionary Housing Payments should also be factored into this cost.

"Hopefully other political parties will take heed of this research and join with the SDLP to block the implementation of this invidious bedroom tax which will hit up to 32,000 across Northern Ireland."

(CD)