Social housing tenants in Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton and other parts of Kirklees will have to delve deeper into their pockets to pay their rent, it has emerged.

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing rents are to rise following an agreement by leading councillors.

Rents will go up by just under seven per cent - a rise of £4.47 a week from April. It will mean the average council house rent in Kirklees will be £69.49 per week.

The rise complies with the Government’s guidelines, which will see rents converge with those set by registered providers by 2015/16.