It was the policy of the previous Labour central government administration to force council’s nationwide to increase the amount of rent they charged for their housing stock in order to bring prices into line with rents set by private landlords and housing associations.

The hike which is expected to be voted through by the Council on March 1st, will potentially see some of Selby’s poorest households having to find an additional £20 per month to keep their home.

MP for Selby and Ainsty, Nigel Adams, has voiced concern over the hike and is now expected to raise the matter with Government Ministers at the Treasury.