More than 4,600 families living in “oversized” social housing across the Bradford district are set to be hit by Government plans to tackle under-occupancy.

Ministers want to tackle the problem and reduce the housing benefits collected by tenants of council or housing association properties with an unused bedroom. Under the current rules, one spare bedroom is allowed.

But as part of the Welfare Reform Bill returning to the Commons tomorrow families will be forced to move, cut back on essentials or go into debt to find the excess cash needed to pay their rent if the plans are approved by MPs.

In December, members of the House of Lords opposed the Government, backing a cross-party amendment to exempt those families with just one additional bedroom where there are no alternative properties for them to downsize to.

Nearly 80 housing, family and disability organisations are calling on MPs to ensure the Government listens to the peers by allowing this compromise.