COUNCIL rents in the town are set to go up by an inflation-busting 4.5 per cent later this year after the government told local authorities to increase charges.

The new rents are set to be approved by the borough’s executive next week – and are coming in at the start of a new 30-year-business plan.

Borough councillor with responsibility for housing John Mowles said the increases were in line with a formula laid down by the government.

He said: “We have to increase rents by inflation plus 0.5pc plus £2 a week which gives this level of increase.

“Given that we are at the start of a new business plan, it was felt unwise to go against the government’s proposals.

“Certainly if we had proposed introducing a different system, I suspect the housing officials would have warned us that there could be consequences to that.”

Mr Mowles said most council tenants had part or all of their rent paid by housing benefit – but accepted that for those who did have to pay the full rent the increase would be an additional burden.

“It is higher than the inflation rate, but we really don’t feel there is any option but to bring in these increases at this time.”

Is it right to put up council rents by 4.5pc? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk