Universal Credit Alert Briefing

Shelter analysis of the latest government statistics for Universal Credit and housing benefit show that 1.9 million private renters in England need housing benefit to pay their rent - up 39% since before the pandemic.

More than 1 in 3 (35%) private renters now need support - but with benefits only covering the cheapest 30% of rents in a local area and a freeze on the local housing allowance, the government urgently needs to re-link support to reflect rising rents.