RENTS in Britain have risen by almost £100 a month since the previous government increased local housing allowance last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed today.

The 8.1 per cent rise in the 12 months to February 2025 means that the average monthly rent now stands at £1,326.

In England, rents have climbed by £96 since April 2024, equating to an 8.3 per cent rise.

Meanwhile, average wages have only increased by 5.9 per cent, meaning that rent inflation has outstripped wage growth for 18 consecutive months.

Tenants’ campaigners condemned the government decision to freeze housing benefits and are calling for a cap on rent increases to keep more people in their homes.

Renters Reform Coalition director Tom Darling said: “These unaffordable rent increases are driving families out of their homes and communities — we are very disappointed the government have frozen housing benefit.

“This government’s number one milestone is putting money back in the pockets of working people.

“But every year, landlords are taking money out faster than wages or benefits can put it in.”

Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey said: “Everyone needs a safe, secure and affordable home, but rents have outpaced people’s wages for years.

“They aren’t going up so quickly any more because, for too many of us, there is simply no money left.

“Nothing for the single parent trapped between their rocketing bills and the price of the roof over their head.

“Nothing for the pensioner, who is forced to stay in a cold and damp home, because it’s better than no home at all.

“Nothing left for the 2.2 million private renter households who have no savings at all.”

Mr Twomey said renters “cannot afford to wait any longer” and the government “must act now to slam the brakes on soaring rents.”

The figures were released as a separate ONS report showed that consumer price index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.8 per cent in February, lower than predicted, from 3 per cent in January.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak called on the Bank of England to cut interest rates to support struggling households and businesses.

He said: “Lower interest rates will help ease the pressure on households, businesses and government borrowing.

“They will mean more money in working people’s pockets to spend on our high streets and more money for firms so that they feel confident to invest.”