THE number of working people in Sedgemoor who are claiming housing benefit has risen by over 25% in the past four years.

Sedgemoor District Council records show that working-age housing benefits recipients that are employed have increased from 1,263 in May 2010 to 1,701 in March 2014.

Glen Burrows from the Bridgwater People's Assembly said: “These figures are not very surprising at all.

“The bedroom tax has been in for a year now and one of its advantages was it would take the housing benefits down, which hasn’t happened.”

Cllr Mick Lerry said: “It just shows of those people who are in employment can’t pay their rent simply because their wages are quite low. These people have got work but they need to claim to pay for their housing and to survive.

“The council will have to pay about and administer the housing benefits so that’s more work in administrations costs.”