Figures released due to a Freedom of Information request reveal a sharp increase in rent arrears for council homes since Labour took over last year. They have gone up £3.544 million to £4.234 million.

That’s a rise of 20 per cent in just a few months.

The rent arrears for garages has doubled – up from £17,380 to £35,187.

Yet the evictions have fallen.

This compares with a fall in rent arrears in social housing elsewhere.

It is unfair on the great majority of tenants who pay their rent for others to be allowed to get away without doing so.