What is the Bedroom Tax and why is it a problem? Full guide as victims win court victory - By Dan Bloom

What is the bedroom tax? Does it affect you? And why is today's victory a big deal? Here's everything you need to know

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Hated: But what exactly is the bedroom tax?

Bedroom tax victims are victorious after the Court of Appeal ruled the Tories' policy is discriminatory today .
So what is the hated tax, and why is it such a problem?
Here's our 60-second guide to the facts and main controversies around the policies.
It's worth brushing up. Today's ruling by no means cancels the policy in the future - it only says it discriminates against certain groups.

And Iain Duncan Smith's officals have already said they will take their fight all the way to Britain's highest judges in the Supreme Court.
Here's everything you need to know.

What is the Bedroom Tax?

The cruel tax was launched by the Tories in April 2013 and increases the rent people have to pay if they have "extra" rooms.
The government says the policy encourages people to move to smaller properties, freeing up space and saving £480m a year from the housing benefit bill.
The Tories don't like people using the phrase "bedroom tax". The policy's official name is the "removal of the spare room subsidy".

Who does it affect?

It hits working-age people who live in social housing and claim housing benefit .
Pensioners are not affected under the scheme. Nor are people in private rented homes or who do not claim housing benefit.

How much do you lose?

Cut: People receive 14% less housing benefit if they have a "spare" room

Under the scheme people have 14% less net rent covered by housing benefit if they have a "spare" room.
If they have two or more spare rooms, they receive 25% less housing benefit towards their rent.
According to housing charity Shelter, for someone who pays £120 a week rent themselves that's £16.80 extra for one spare room, or £30 extra for two spare rooms.
That means some victims having to find an extra £1,560 a year .

What counts as a spare bedroom?

Under the rules, one room is allowed for an adult couple and every person over 16 .
For under-16s , the rules say children must share two to a room if they're of the same sex.
Two under-10s must share a room even if they're of the opposite sex.
There are exceptions for children who can't share a room because of a medical condition or for a carer providing overnight-only care .

Why are people angry?

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Anger: The fight has gone to the Court of Appeal - and the Supreme Court is next

First of all there have been unintended consequences from glitches and loopholes in the law, as today's case shows.
Campaigners have also said there is a shortage of smaller flats. That means tenants are penalised while they sit on waiting lists even if they try to move out.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have had to be spent on emergency funds called discretionary housing payments (DHPs) to cover the gap for families in need.

Culled from Mirror