Emma Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister, responding to the Money Advice Trust finding that rent arrears are now the fastest growing debt, said:

“Rent is using up more and more of people’s income, contributing to the cost of living crisis under David Cameron.

"The housing market isn’t working because there simply aren’t enough homes around for young people and families that want to buy but are forced to rent.

"Rather than take the action needed to tackle this crisis this out of touch Tory-led Government is presiding over the lowest levels of housebuilding in peacetime since the 1920s.

"Ed Miliband has committed to tackling this crisis and a Labour government will build at least 200,000 homes a year by the end of the next Parliament.”