Grant Shapps: UN 'bedroom tax' report is a disgrace

A special investigator on housing from the United Nations has called for the immediate suspension of the government's spare room subsidy - what the opposition have branded the "bedroom tax".

The investigator, Raquel Rolnik, is quoted in Wednesday's Guardian as saying she was "very shocked" to hear that people felt the change abused their human rights.

Speaking to the Today programme, Raquel Rolnik said: "My recommendation is the government suspend this policy to better assess, evaluate and monitor its impact on human rights, and eventually redesign it."

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: "I think this report is an absolute disgrace."

"[Rolnik] has clearly come over with an agenda. She has failed to meet with any government ministers or officials from the Department of Work and Pensions."

First broadcast on the Today programme on Wednesday 11 September.