THE government has successfully appealed against a ruling that tribunals can “rewrite” legislation that is incompatible with human rights law.

Jayson Carmichael, who is the full-time carer of his wife Jacqueline, appealed when Sefton Council reduced their housing benefit in November 2012 by 14 per cent under the bedroom tax.

Ms Carmichael, who suffers from spina bifida, needs to sleep in a fixed position in a special bed and, as there is no space for an additional bed in her bedroom, the couple require a two-bedroom flat.