Lawyers representing people with disabilities have won the right to challenge the government's draconian bedroom tax in the Court of Appeal.

Appeal court judge Lord Justice Aikens ruled that 10 test cases should be heard as they raise issues of public importance and that the points raised in the grounds of appeal and the proposed skeleton argument had "a reasonable prospect of success."

The bedroom tax sparked outrage when it came into force on April 1, with campaigners and advice organisations warning that it would hit the most vulnerable hardest.

Ugo Hayter, a lawyer from legal firm Leigh Day which is representing two adults with disabilities, said: "We are extremely pleased to be able to take our fight to the Court of Appeal.

"We remain confident that this unfair - and we believe unlawful - bedroom tax will be repealed."

Lawyers for the Department of Work and Pensions contend that cuts to housing benefits are a legitimate and "integral aspect" of the government's deficit reduction programme.

A DWP spokeswoman said: "The courts have already found that we met our legal obligations with this policy and we are confident that they will continue to do so."

The appeal has been brought after the High Court upheld the legality of the tax, which has been linked to at least one death.

Mother of two Stephanie Bottrill killed herself in May and left a note blaming the stress caused by the incoming tax.

The 10 cases are said to illustrate the serious effects of the regulations on disabled people in social housing up and down the country.

Under new "size criteria," tenants with one spare bedroom have had a payment reduction of 14 per cent and those deemed to have two or more spare rooms a reduction of 25 per cent.

The tax came under fire this month from UN special rapporteur on housing Raquel Rolnik, who called for it to be axed.

"I suggest the so-called bedroom tax be suspended immediately and be fully re-evaluated in the light of the evidence of its impact on the right to adequate housing and general wellbeing of many vulnerable individuals," she said.

The UN defended Ms Rolnik yesterday after Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps accused her of political bias.

The Conservatives launched a smear campaign against Ms Rolnik after she made the comments, with one Tory backbencher branding her a "loopy Brazilian leftie."

Mr Shapps wrote to UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon asking him to investigate her conduct.

Jane Connors, an aide to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, responded that Ms Rolnik had been appointed on the basis of her "expertise and independence."

She added: "Ms Rolnik's visit was planned and organised over many months in consultation with the government" and complied with the UN code of conduct.