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 the total has increased from 1,263 in May 2010 to 1,701 in March 2014.

Cllr Mick Lerry, the leader of the Labour group on the district council, said: “It just shows those people who are in employment can’t pay their rent simply because their wages are quite low.”