Thousands of high-earning council tenants could face rent hikes or eviction under government proposals being published today.

Housing minister Grant Shapps is due to give details of a "pay-to-stay scheme" intended to ease the pressure on social housing stocks.

There has been criticism that current rules allow wealthy individuals to pay half the market rate to live in properties.

But a consultation document is expected to suggest making couples on a salary of £30,000 each pay an average of £70 a week more.

Income caps of £80,000 and £100,000 for households in council property are also being mooted, according to The Times.

Under laws implemented in April, new tenants no longer have a council house for life and are unable to pass it down to their families.

Some councils have called for households earning more than £40,000 to be stripped of their entitlement to a council home, and most tenancy agreements are now being limited to five years.