Hundreds of youngsters are having trouble getting a home because of housing benefit restrictions, a Brighton MP says

Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion David Lepper wants housing benefit restrictions imposed on people under 25 by the last Government to be removed.

Mr Lepper is also asking for a relaxation on the Single Room Rent restrictions.

Currently this is set at £48 a week for people in Brighton and Hove, yet most rents are far higher than this.

The average rent for a bed sitter is between £55 and £65 a week, while a studio flat costs about £75 and a one-bedroomed flat £100.

Mr Lepper has written to Housing Minister Nick Raynsford and hopes to raise the issue in the Commons today during the debate on the Homes Bill.

The Government has said it plans to change housing benefit restrictions but has not yet given details.

The MP said: "I have raised the issue of restrictions on housing benefit for under-25s ever since I was first elected and have raised it personally with the Prime Minister.

"They are a real bar to many young people being able to afford the rent of properties in Brighton and Hove."

Mr Lepper said the single room rent needed to be set at a more realistic level because it was well below what was being charged generally.

The Brighton and Hove Private Sector Housing Forum has also raised the issue with Mr Raynsford.

Chairman Tehmtan Framroze, who is council cabinet housing spokesman, said: "This is having a serious effect on Brighton and Hove.

"We know of many other organisations and communities which share our concerns. We are disappointed the single room rent has not been amended to allow for modest self-contained accommodation."