GRAHAM Jones, MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, has slammed the coalition government for the rising number of people in work claiming housing benefits.

The Labour politician said: “Since David Cameron became Prime Minister, the number of working people claiming housing benefit has increased by 60 per cent nationally, costing ordinary British taxpayers an extra £4.8billion.

“In Hyndburn alone, the number of working people now claiming housing benefit has increased by a staggering 55 per cent from 796 to 1236.

In Rossendale, the figure has risen by 45 per cent from 524 to 759 “Since 2010 working people are on average £1,600 a year worse off as wages have fallen while prices have soared.

“Many people in work can’t get the hours they need, while low-paid and insecure work is forcing more people to rely on housing benefit to pay their rent.

“It can’t be right that ordinary people who do the right thing and go to work have to rely on housing benefit.”