Tenants in Swindon were evicted from their homes several times by landlords as the cost-of-living crisis hit people's wallets and energy prices rocketed, new figures show.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that six rental households in Swindon were evicted in the three months between April and June this year.

This is up from three during the same period in the previous year, which was largely covered by a nationwide ban on evictions, although it is also in line with pre-pandemic levels.

Charities have warned that tenants face uncertain financial situations as living costs soar, with action group Generation Rent saying "people face a devastating choice between paying rent, heating their home and putting food on the table".

Across England and Wales, 4,900 landlord repossessions took place between April and June, more than three times as many as the same period a year earlier, when there were 1,582.

Alicia Kennedy, director of Generation Rent, said that renters who have not received enough support during the pandemic are now losing their homes as eviction restrictions have lifted.

"Alongside a further package of financial support, the Government must freeze rents and protect renters from eviction if they're struggling to stay on top of rent," she added. 

Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said the figures paint a "grim picture" as households struggle to keep their heads above water during the cost-of-living crisis, adding: "Whoever becomes the next Prime Minister needs to get a grip and put ending the housing emergency at the top of their to-do list."

A Government spokesperson said it is supporting people facing the pressures of rising costs through a £37billion package, including a £1,200 payment for the most vulnerable households.

They added the Renters' Reform Bill will protect tenants by abolishing no-fault evictions and allow them to challenge "poor practice, poor housing standards and unjustified rent increases".

The figures show total claims by private and social landlords for repossession have also risen significantly – 18,200 were submitted in the latest three months, more than double the 7,000 claims made in the same period last year.

They included 43 in Swindon – up from 21 the year before.

Claims made by private landlords to evict tenants topped pre-pandemic levels for the third successive quarter – 6,425 claims were made in England and Wales in the three months to June, up from 6,077 during the same period in 2019.