THE architect of the bedroom tax and welfare reforms has been invited to Glasgow to see the damage the "outrageous" policy will wreak in the city.

Eight housing associations and an MSP have sent a letter to UK Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, asking him to come to see how families and communities will be hit by the reforms.

James Dornan, SNP MSP for Cathcart, said 2000 families in his constituency, which covers areas like Castlemilk and Kennishead, will be affected.

Housing bosses from the largest, GHA, to smaller community-based associations, have called for action to protect the most vulnerable in the city.

Mr Dornan said: "The bedroom tax is going to be disastrous for many people across my constituency. Already I've met with people who are being expected to find up to an additional £80 per month out of their already stretched income.

"Some of these people are the most vulnerable in our communities and this attack on them is nothing short of cowardly and outrageous."

Last week the Evening Times told how housing bosses feared the bedroom tax will hit efforts to improve education and keep teenagers out of trouble if they are forced to give up a room of their own.

Christine Leitch, Director of Cathcart and District Housing Association, said the tax "will result in homelessness, enforced poverty."

Last month a delegation from GHA went to London to meet Mr Duncan Smith to outline the impact it will have and to call for special help for Glasgow

Martin Armstrong, Chief Executive of GHA's parent company, Wheatley Housing Group, said: "We want to see further exemptions from the bedroom tax and more time for tenants in Glasgow to prepare for Universal Credit."

STEWART PATERSON