WORKERS in the New Forest face the prospect of losing their homes if ‘draconian’ rent rises go ahead, a union claims.

Unite claimed that 25 Forestry Commission staff are about to be hit with an 80 per cent rent rise.

It says the affected employees, who pay an average £600 per month will face rent rises of 40 per cent in January 2018 and 40 per cent in January 2019.

Unite regional officer Richard White said the commission said: “These workers – some of whom are retired – are on modest incomes and won’t be able to afford these increases, so will be forced to give up their homes and seek accommodation elsewhere.

“This is a travesty as these employees, with many years of dedicated service to the preservation of the New Forest, are part of the DNA of these ancient woodlands.”

But the Forestry Commission has hit back saying the union were being “misleading” and were “scaremongering employees”.

The commission also said the timescale for the rises was set over four years, not two, but did not disclose when this would begin.

It also insisted that tenants have the opportunity to negotiate their rent.

Bruce Rothnie, deputy surveyor at the Forestry Commission, said: “I am disappointed to read the scaremongering information from the Unite union that does not help our discussions with them and our tenants in the New Forest.

“The union were actively involved in agreeing on the processes that are now underway and the Forestry Commission has offered tenants financial support to get professional advice when proposals for rent reviews are made.

“We look forward to more constructive dialogue with the Union and tenants over the coming months.”

Union officials are due to meet with Forestry Commission surveyors today.