Rent prices have increased at quicker rate than wages over the past six years, according to a new report.

A study carried out by housing and homelessness charity Shelter showed that, in many parts of the UK, rents have soared while wage growth remains relatively low.

In Harrow, the average price of renting a two-bed home has gone up by a third since 2011.

But the change in household wages has increased by just seven per cent.

According to Shelter, this has led to an “affordability crisis” which means many people are struggling to make ends meet.

The English Housing Survey showed that renters currently spend 40 per cent of their income on housing costs, which is roughly double what owner-occupiers pay.

And, Shelter explained, slower wage growth, combined with rents increasing at a quicker rate, will only compound this situation.

Cllr Adam Swersky, responsible for finance at Harrow Council, said poor wage growth, and low pay overall, needs to be addressed.

He said: “There are too many people in Harrow who work all day and come home with poverty wages.

“We are passionately committed to fighting the injustice of low pay right across our borough.

“Levels of low pay are far too high, and we will support businesses in any way we can to help them offer better pay and conditions to their workers.”

The council has previously issued statements that commit to improving the housing situation in the borough.

And, earlier this year, its first London Living Rent (LLR) scheme opened in St John’s Road.

Of the 27 properties at Le Bon Court, 23 come under the LLR programme, which locks in rent prices at a third of the average household incomes.

At its opening, Cllr Sachin Shah, then-leader of Harrow Council, said: “This scheme is just one of the ways we are building a better Harrow.

“These are homes for Harrow residents or key workers, such as nurses working at Northwick Park hospital – it’s exactly the type of homes Harrow needs.”