The standard narrative of right wing politicians these days is that the poor must make do with less because we are living in an age of austerity, while the rich should be given incentives in the hope that they will invest them in the economy. Nowhere is that more nakedly obvious than in the UK’s proposed “bedroom tax”. While it is apparently OK for the rich to have multiple big houses (and MPs actually get an allowance to allow them to maintain second homes), the poorest members of society will have their benefits reduced if they have a spare room in their homes. The National Housing Federation explains how vulnerable people will be hit by this, while Polly Toynbee has a human interest angle on the issue. The bottom line is that poor people will be forced to move into smaller homes, and maybe become homeless.

This being the age of the Big Society, it is down to ordinary citizens to help out, and one of Roz Kaveney’s young friends has decided to do something about it. Elaine O’Neill has decided to walk the length of the Northern Line to raise money for Shelter, the charity that helps the homeless. You can sponsor her here.