Increase in number of people with jobs claiming housing benefit in Harrow

The figures from the House of Commons Library also show the number of people claiming housing benefits has increased by 60 per cent nationally since 2010.

The Labour Party says the figures show the majority of people are not feeling the benefit of the economic recovery.

Speaking to the Harrow Times the shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves MP said: “I think people in Harrow will see headlines claiming there is growth, but will say 'hang on I'm not feeling the effects of this recovery'.

“People are still struggling and especially in London, which has higher costs for travel, childcare and housing. They will be thinking they haven’t felt the benefit of the recovery at all.

“The huge increase in people who are in work claiming housing benefit is the result of the Government’s failure to make work pay, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and build the new homes we need.”

Shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds said: “This government has presided over the lowest level of house building in peacetime since the 1920s.

“Failure to tackle the housing shortage means the cost of housing is rising out of reach of low-to-middle-income earners.

“The Government’s failure isn’t just affecting those struggling with housing costs - it’s also hitting taxpayers who are picking up the bill.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "The truth is that the housing benefit bill was spiralling out of control in the years up to 2010, doubling to £20billion in a decade and forecast to rise further.‬

"Action this government has taken is bringing that bill under control - saving the taxpayer more than £2bn a year.

"And contrary to these figures, we have seen the number of housing benefit claimants fall over the last quarter.‬

‪"We have also taken action to help hardworking people by increasing the tax-free personal allowance, freezing fuel-duty, cutting energy bills, and introducing free school meals and tax free childcare."‬