Figures published by the Council say that the annual cost of paying housing benefit claims has increased from £25.2 in 2004 to £45.3 million in 2012.

Housing benefit is money paid by the Council to help tenants to pay their rent. For council tenants, housing benefit is paid direct into their rent account. Housing benefit for private and housing association tenants is paid to the tenant or landlord.

The figures also show that some tenants are claiming nearly £400 a week in benefit payments. Most are claiming considerably less.

A table showing the spread of claimants indicates a fairly wide distribution across the City although the largest number can be found in the YO24 post code area.

In total 11,059 families were claiming Housing Benefit in 2012.

12,998 were also claiming Council Tax benefit. This benefit reduced the amount that residents were liable to pay to the local Council to fund public services. It was replaced by the Council Tax Reduction scheme from 1st April this year.