CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell has voted against the controversial “bedroom tax”

after being persuaded to change his mind by a constituent.

The Government defeated a Labour motion to abolish the policy, which penalises council house occupants with spare bedrooms.

Critics claim the welfare reform has pushed many families into poverty, often because there are no smaller properties for them to move into.

Former Tory Mr Carswell supported the bedroom tax before defecting to UKIP, but has now voted against it.

“Having previously thought it was a good idea, I have now changed my mind,” he said.

“I met a man who lived in Branston Road in Clacton. He suffers from mental health issues and had lost a loved one.

“As a result of the bedroom tax, he was in danger of being thrown out of what the Government regards as a house, but what he calls his home.

“You can’t shuffle people around like they are numbers on a spreadsheet.

“This is a classic case of something that makes sense to people in Whitehall, but doesn’t take into account that you are dealing with human beings.”