“Nearly half of working private renters in England could not afford their rent for more than a month if they lost their job, Shelter has found.

Some 45% of people surveyed for the charity said they would be in this position.

Shelter said that if the findings were projected across the country nearly three million private renters could be just one pay cheque away from losing their home.

Among working families with children, the charity found 60% could be just one pay cheque away from losing their home.

With current political and economic uncertainty, the charity is urging all political parties to ensure social housebuilding is at the centre of any domestic agenda.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Millions of working people are now caught in an endless cycle of paying grossly expensive private rents they can barely afford – with all the insecurity that brings. …”