CITIZENS Advice Scotland has claimed a victory after a Westminster committee called for changes to the under-occupancy charge for housing benefit claimants.

In a report on the so-called 'bedroom tax', the Committee on Scottish Affairs said some vulnerable groups should be exempt from the policy.

CAS gave evidence to the committee last June and argued for exemptions for disabled people, including those whose condition meant they needed more space, or whose homes had been adapted for their use.

These calls have been accepted by the committee, along with the case the charity made for giving financial help to those worst affected.

CAS policy manager Keith Dryburgh said: "We now have evidence from CAB offices all over Scotland on the first eight months of the bedroom tax.

"It is very clear that this policy is causing real problems for many vulnerable families.

"We are pleased that the committee has endorsed many of the exemptions we called for."