Councillors have joined the fierce political debate over the bedroom tax which is set to affect 1,000 Borders households.
Launched on Monday, the single bedroom subsidy means residents of housing association properties deemed larger than they need receive less money.
And in a motion by depute leader Catriona Bhatia, Scottish Borders Council agreed to write to the coalition UK Government to express its “deep concern” over the move, which is expected to save almost £500million for taxpayers in 2013/14.
However, in a stormy discussion which lasted almost an hour, Newtown’s Conservative councillors defended the reform.
Michelle Ballantyne, leader of the Conservatives which form the opposition group at SBC, said: “Everyone says they want fairness and equity, but if you live in private housing and you can’t get social housing then you don’t get this benefit. But if you are on the list and you have two or three extra bedrooms you get paid. Is that fair?
“This has been an emotive topic, but the discussion should be to find out what the real issue is.”
Mrs Bhatia said the biggest problem for households, as well as the council and social landlords, is the way the changes were being brought in.
Councillors also agreed last week to increase an emergency pot of cash for tenants who cannot cover their housing costs to £228,650 for 2013/14, with more claims expected as a result of the bedroom tax.
The Lib-Dem added: “If someone wishes to downsize, there is no accommodation available.
“I know the social landlords are looking to provide a house-swap option, but if there is no houses to swap they will come to us for payments.
“It is important we express our concerns as a council.”
SNP councillor Stuart Bell described the housing benefit changes as an “invidious tax”. He said: “I can’t understand what the problems this bedroom tax is intended for. We don’t have a problem with too many rooms, we have a problem with too few houses.
“It is a solution looking for a problem and is unacceptable legislation.”
Conservative member Simon Mountford said it was wrong to describe the reform as a tax.
But directing a barb at the Conservatives, SBC leader David Parker said: “They should be asking why there is a shortage of social housing in the Borders, Scotland and the UK and the reason is the Conservative government in the 1980s sold them all off and didn’t replace them.
“I think this will cost them the next General Election.”
The motion from SBC also calls for the housing benefit alterations to be delayed by a year to allow social landlords and their tenants more time to move from larger to smaller properties.
Around 4,000 people march in Glasgow and Edinburgh last weekend against the changes, including former MSP Tommy Sheridan.