Private landlords received £9.3bn in housing benefit in 2015

Private landlords received £9.3bn in housing benefit last year - almost double the amount they did a decade ago, according to a new report.

The National Housing Federation (NHF) said increases in the number of private renters receiving the benefit and the higher costs of private rentals have contributed to the rise.

David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, said it was "madness" that the money was being spent on the private sector and not being invested in affordable homes.

Since 2008, there has been a 42% rise in the number of private renters receiving housing benefit, according to the NHF analysis.

The report also found an additional £1,000 is spent every year on each family renting privately and claiming housing benefit - a £5,705 cost compared with £4,638 for those in the social rented sector.

The Government has said it is taking action to reduce the private rental sector housing benefit bill.

"The reality is we have taken action to bring the housing benefit bill under control, and since 2012 the amount going to private sector landlords has actually been falling - something which the National Housing Federation fails to recognise," a spokesman said.

"We are also committed to building the homes this country needs and investing 8 billion to build 400,000 more affordable homes," they added.