The government has no idea of the number of renters falling behind with rent because of the local housing allowance freeze.

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The Work and Pensions Minister, Mims Davies, made this admission when responding to a parliamentary question.

Labour MP Wayne David’s written parliamentary question asked whether the government has carried out any form of assessment on the number of tenants who have been affected by the freezing of Local Housing Allowance rates, and have been finding it near impossible to cope with housing and living costs.

Mims Davies, responded: “The Department does not hold this information therefore no such estimate had been made.”

Housing benefit claimants are having to cope with a third year of their allowances being frozen, which in many areas is making the housing support fall short of the current local rents as the benefit remains linked to the 2019 market rent.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ recent analysis estimates that households in rented accommodation who receive housing benefits are on average £50 per month worse off, because the allowance has fallen behind rising market rents over the past three years.

A spokesperson for a trade association, says: “We are appalled at the Government’s complacent attitude. Amidst a cost of living squeeze we need to do everything to support the sector and often vulnerable tenants in accessing the housing they need.

“It beggars belief that ministers have frozen vital support for many renters with no idea how many will be unable to afford their housing as a result.