Thomas Bridge 15 May 2015

Tenants 'living in fear' as evictions hit record high

The number of tenants evicted from their homes has climbed to a six-year high, as rising rents and welfare cuts leave families 'living in fear'.

County court bailiffs evicted 11,307 renting households in England and Wales in the first three months of this year, an 8% rise on the same period in 2014.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal the number of evictions between January and March 2015 was the highest recorded in a single quarter since 2009.

The figures came as data from the Department for Work and Pensions revealed around 58,700 households have had their housing benefit capped since the limit was introduced in April 2013. Some 35,600 of those households are no longer subject to the cap, while almost 22,400 have moved into work, reduced their benefit claims or no longer claim support.

Returning work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said thousands of people hit by the benefits cap were 'gaining the financial security and esteem that comes with a job and a pay packet'.

Yet housing charity Shelter today warned soaring rents and benefit reductions were leaving families facing a constant struggle to remain in their homes.

Its chief executive, Campbell Robb, said: 'Today's figures are a glaring reminder that sky high housing costs and welfare cuts are leaving thousands of people battling to keep a roof over their heads.

'Every day at Shelter we see the devastating impact of a housing market at boiling point, with the cost of renting so high that many families are living in fear that just one thing like losing their job or becoming ill could leave them with the bailiffs knocking at the door.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Transformation and Change

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Business Growth and Innovation

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Director of Transport

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£100,088 – £110,736
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Portable Antiquities Scheme Intern

Oxfordshire County Council
£24790 - £24790
About Us This is an exciting time to join the Oxfordshire Museum Service as we continue to develop service structure, and enhance access to our collections and services. Our collection totals 112,000 objects from the palaeolithic era to contemporary coll Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Desktop Support Engineer

West Northamptonshire Council
£34203 - £37067
As a Desktop Support Engineer, you’ll be a key part of our frontline IT support team, ensuring that staff across the council have the tools and assistance they need to work efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly support vital public servic One Angel Square
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner