The ONS’ latest index of private housing rental prices has found that rents grew by 2.4% in the year to July 2016.

The level of inflation was unchanged compared with June 2016.

Private rental prices grew by 2.6% in England, 0.2% in Scotland and were unchanged in Wales in the 12 months to July.

Private rental prices increased in each of the nine English regions.

The largest annual rental price increases were in the south-east (3.5%), followed by the east of England (3.1%) and London (3.0%), both unchanged from June 2016.

Annual rental growth in the south east has surpassed that of London since May 2016.

The lowest annual rental price increases were in the north-east (0.9%), north-west (1.2%) and Yorkshire & The Humber (1.3%).

Despite being called the “index of private housing rental prices”, the index gives no prices.