ANGRY landlords in Bury have vowed to fight housing benefit cuts which they say will mean more homeless on the streets - and businesses going down the drain.

Members of the Bury Guest House Association have taken their fight to the top by writing to Prime Minister John Major and other national and local politicians.

Mr Joe Martin, association secretary, said that existing changes had already affected businesses severely. The Government cut back to £39 a week housing benefit for under-25s more than a year ago, with significant results.

"Twelve months ago 54 per cent of our guests were under 25," he said. "Now that figure is down to eight per cent."

Now cuts proposed in the budget will see these restrictions extended to include everyone up to the age of 60, and Mr Martin and his colleagues fear the worst.

"We cannot afford to take people on lower rents," he said, adding that some guest houses had already been forced out of business.

He is calling on MPs to support an early day motion going to Parliament which would stop the changes.

Bury North MP Alistair Burt, who is also a social security minister, said he was keeping a close eye on the changes that had already taken place.

"I have asked for discussions with the Department of the Environment about this," he said, adding that no major problems had so far been apparent.

"There are safety nets for those that need them," he said. "We do talk to local authorities, and they have not raised any major problems as yet."

The proposed changes were currently out to consultation, but if they did go ahead they would have similar safeguards in place.

Mr Martin and other members of the association have also met David Chaytor, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate in Bury North.

"The proposals are extremely worrying, and responsible landlords will undoubtedly suffer," said Mr Chaytor.

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