The campaigning charity Shelter claims 14 per cent of adults in England – that’s six million people – are more worried about becoming homeless due to the pandemic. 

The survey, conducted for Shelter by YouGov, shows 27 per cent of private renters now fear becoming homeless: that’s 2.2 million people, it says.

The charity also claims that private renters are almost twice as likely to feel depressed and anxious about their housing situation compared with the general public.

Some 47 per cent say they are more depressed and anxious in light of the pandemic. 

Further findings include that, in just the last month, 24 per cent of private renters have had to borrow money to pay their rent, 18 per cent have cut back on food or skipped meals to pay their rent, and 12 per cent have cut back on heating their home to pay their rent.