Over-60 bedroom blockers 'should be taxed out of their homes' to encourage them to leave

Over-60 bedroom blockers 'should be taxed out of their homes' to encourage them to leave:

Older people should be taxed out of their family homes to free up space for younger generations, says a report backed by Labour.

It argues that 'empty nesters' in their 60s are taking up too much room and should be 'encouraged' by a new 'land tax' to downsize to smaller homes.

The call comes from the Intergenerational Foundation, a left-leaning think-tank that aims to 'promote fairness between generations'.

Labour MP Tessa Jowell sponsored the report's launch in a Commons hospitality room yesterday, saying the current situation ran against Ed Miliband's vision for Britain.

But the 'bedroom blocker' plan drew condemnation from Tory ministers and pressure groups for older people.

Tory housing minister Grant Shapps said: 'We do not agree that people should be taxed or bullied out of their homes.'

The Intergenerational Foundation says there are 25million unused bedrooms in the country and eight million ‘under-occupied’ homes....

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