Haringey Council are set to increase tenants rent by an inflation-busting 6.1% next year it has emerged. This comes after this year’s increase of 6.5%. Local Liberal Democrats criticised the move at last week’s meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny committee saying it is hitting the poorest in the London Borough of Haringey the most.

Members on the committee also discovered that this will be in addition to increased tenancy charges and massive hikes in heating and lighting bills for some tenants. They have asked for full disclosure of the figures.

The increases are a result of a Labour government policy to increase council rents into line with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) by removing central grant funding. The impact of this policy is likely to fall on the most vulnerable in Haringey.

Cllr Laura Edge, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, comments:

“Tenants will despair at this further inflation-busting rent hike. In an economic environment of increasing joblessness, rising fuel and food bills, the last thing tenants need is news before Christmas that another fat bill is coming their way.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“Labour claim to be the party of the people but then they hit those struggling most.”