Unions are calling on the government to take action as new figures reveal how increases in rent in the South East have not been matched by pay rises in the last seven years.

The warning has come from the GMB general trade union in the United Kingdom which has more than 631,000 members. Its members work in nearly all industrial sectors, in retail, security, schools, distribution and the utilities, social care, the NHS and ambulance service and local government.

A study published by GMB shows the average two bedroom flat in the South East increased by 25% between 2011 and 2018, with the average increase in monthly earnings only 8.1% across the region.

Rent for Bracknell Forest residents has increased by 25%, with wages increasing by an average of 9.7%.

Reading Borough residents have seen a 25.8% increase in their rents, with the average monthly rent now totalling £1000. Wages have increased by 13.7% during the same time period.

Paul Maloney, GMB Regional Secretary, said: "These official figures show increases in average rents for two-bedroom flats of 25% or higher in 28 of the 67 South East councils in the seven years since 2011. The average increase for all the councils is 25%. By comparison average earnings in the same period rose by 8.1% in the South East.

"These high rents are here to stay. So too are younger workers living for longer in private sector rental accommodation. As a direct consequence, employers must be prepared to pay much higher wages to staff to enable them to afford these much higher rents.

"If employers don't respond with higher pay, they will face staff shortages as workers, especially younger people, are priced out of housing market.

"It makes little sense for these workers to spend a full week at work only to pay most of their earnings in rents. They will vote with their feet."