End of the spare room
Joe Nerssessian
Thousands of people across Dorset will be effected by the Government’s introduction of the controversial ‘bedroom tax’ planned in April. The penalty scheme will apply to tenants of social housing who are deemed to be under-occupying their home and will, on average, reduce their housing benefit by over £50 a month. In order to avoid the penalties, tenants are encouraged to move out of their home to a smaller house with fewer bedrooms, although this could be just as expensive. Many young families are being charged as children are expected to share a bedroom until they’re ten, or sixteen if both of the same gender. Single mum, Kim Cotton, is in a three-bedroom house with her son, eight, and daughter eleven, however as custody is split between her and her ex-husband, she is deemed to have an extra bedroom. She will lose over £600 a year which she can’t afford, but moving will be too costly as well. “I won’t get any financial help to move and I just can’t afford it at the moment. It could end up costing
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OPINION Murdoch hints at end of Page 3 P18
FEATURES What makes this pope so divisive?
P22 Dorset families could soon feel the pinch after the Government announced ‘bedroom tax’ CHRIS FAY
Welcome to The Rock’s community edition SPORT Julia Denni
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Bournemouth Rock has teamed up with the Bournemouth Council, for a special Community edition, to distribute the newspaper to 25,000 homes in Winton, Moordown, Charminster and Queens Park. We are available in Asda in Lansdowne and in supermarkets in Winton. The Bournemouth Rock is an ambitious Bournemouth University project started in 2011 to provide a vital service to the community on its doorstep. This area is key to the university, because more
than 7,000 students, one in three of those enrolled, live within walking distance of our main campus near Winton. This special Community edition is an exciting opportunity for the students behind the publication to show their talent and dedication to the community. Entirely student-run, the newspaper has already seen more 200 students through the doors of its newsroom, gaining a real-world experience, giving many of them a chance to develop both on a personal and professional level. The Bournemouth Rock is produced at the University, the institution is playing the role of a springboard for students to spread information. The publication has an
independent editorial team, enjoys freedom in its journalistic choices and does not give into any form of pressure. It is an authentic publication with honest and truthful values. Its first aspiration is to serve and reflect the diversity of its readers, giving Bournemouth a unique perspective on the world. There is a strong community in this area with plenty of stories to tell. The Bournemouth Rock wants to reach out and provide it with a compelling mix of news, sport, features, and entertainment. The newspaper capitalises on the creativity and resourcefulness of students, under the expert guidance of experienced staff in Bournemouth University’s Media School.
The University is investing in its students because they have talent and potential to create an enterprising publication that serves the vibrant town of Bournemouth. The Rock wants to show people locally that there is more to students than some of the impressions they may have had in the past. It aims to work hand-in-hand with residents to help improve the community to which it belongs.
Howe: No magic formula
We would welcome and appreciate any feedback. You can get in touch at jdennirocks@gmail.com.
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