BOURNEMOUTH council tenants face a 6.1 per cent average rent increase thanks to a new government formula.

The rise will hit people in 5,132 homes from April at a time of rising inflation and benefit cuts.

The figure, which will be debated by the Adult and Community Services panel on January 26, would generate an extra £1.6m a year.

The large rise is thanks to a new structure, the formula rent, set by the previous government.

This takes account of the value of each property, the number of bedrooms and county average earning compared to the national average.

Cllr Ben Grower, leader of the Labour group, said the proposed increase was a “savage attack on tenants”.

He added: “Bournemouth council can oppose this if it wants to, but it is set to carry out the government’s instructions. The government is also proposing to reduce housing allowance, family tax credits and child benefit.”

The council report on the rise says that 45 per cent of the homes will have a rent increase of between £3 and £4 a week.

Cllr Peter Charon, leader of the council, said: “I am concerned, absolutely concerned, that the cost of living is going up and council tenants are not exempt from that. But our hands are tied.

“It’s a government-driven formula. Other councils are having to follow the same line.”

Cllr Claire Smith, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said the increases are partly aimed at getting enough money to build new council houses.

She added: “Waiting lists are very long. Council rents are still considerably lower than private rents.”

During 2010-2011, Bournemouth council completed a new block of 10 flats at Mallard Road, Throop.