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 of 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 given the go-ahead 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 clear message sent by peers by allowing this compromise to stand.

New analysis by the National Housing Federation, based on the Government’s own figures broken down into parliamentary constituencies, show 874 families in Bradford West, 940 in Bradford South, 949 in Bradford East, 919 in Keighley and 942 in Shipley are expected to be hit at a cost of £10.25 a week or about £533 a year.

The charity said grandparents who share the care of their grandchildren, families with two same-sex teenagers with their own bedrooms, disabled tenants who need an adapted room to live a dignified, independent life – many would see their incomes cut if the Bill passed unamended.

Derek Long, head of the National Housing Federation for the North, said: “We have been deeply concerned about this bedroom tax for some time."