COUNCIL house rent arrears in Powys have increased by £60,000 since the introduction of the government's controversial bedroom tax.

The increase over the first three months of the financial year, which is an 11 per cent rise compared with the same period last year, is being attributed to the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition decision to dock housing benefit if social housing tenants are deemed to have more bedrooms than necessary.

Labour member Councillor Matthew Dorrance said he fears tenants are unable to afford to keep up with their rents.

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