The bedroom tax issue or, rather, removal of spare room subsidy from housing benefit, has been a no-holds-barred screech-fest for all manner of lefties all over Britain. They railed and gnashed their teeth and pointed at disabled children and pretended the whole nation is behind them. So it must be ever more satisfying for the Tories when a recent poll carried out by Ipsos MORI showed that most people agree with the policy.

Overall approval is at 49%, with 33% opposing. In addition, 44% support removal of subsidy with a reduction of 14% (around £12 per week) for one bedroom and 46% support the policy with a 25% reduction for two or more bedrooms. If the policy proves to be effective at reducing government spending, support increases to 54% and opposition falls to 20%.

Moreover, 54% of respondents agree that it is fair that people of working age in social housing who underoccupy the property should receive less housing benefit. The same rules apply to those renting privately who claim housing benefit. 54% agree that removing the spare room subsidy will encourage people to improve their situation and get a job.

The report is available online.