[danielf]

Originally Posted by Taf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11627021

He may deny it, but an exodus will happen.

From that link:

Mr Clegg replied: "We all indulge in a bit of hyperbole but I have to say to him quite seriously to refer to 'cleansing' would be deeply offensive to people who have witnessed ethnic cleansing in other parts of the world.

"It is an outrageous way of describing [the situation]."

He added: "What we are saying is that, for people who receive housing benefit, it is perfectly reasonable for the government to say that it won't hand out more in housing benefit than people who go out to work, pay their taxes, play by the rules will do when they look for housing themselves.

"We are simply suggesting there should be a cap for family homes of four bedrooms of £400 a week. That is £21,000 a year.

"Does he really think it's wrong for people who can't afford to live privately in those areas that the state should subsidise people to the tune of more than £21,000? I don't think so."

Sounds eminently sensible to me. £21k a year is nearly an average full-time salary before tax. I can see no justification for any family receiving housing benefits on that scale. In fact, I think it could be lowered quite a bit. If that means people have to move, then so be it.