Labour criticises government for failing to bring forward evictions legislation

The Government Deputy Chief Whip confirmed today that Government has ignored calls from Labour and housing organisations to bring forward legal changes to protect renters before the ban on evictions is lifted next Sunday.

In his Business Statement today, Government Deputy Chief Whip Stuart Andrew announced that there would be no Parliamentary time next week for MPs to debate the end of the evictions ban.

Thangam Debbonaire, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, said:

“The Government’s chaotic handling of the evictions crisis has thrown renters and landlords into confusion.

“Labour has been saying for months that the Government needs a credible plan to prevent a dramatic rise in homelessness when the ban on evictions is lifted.

“As things stand, we are facing the same cliff edge next week that the Government narrowly avoided at the end of August.

“Ministers promised that no one would lose their home because of Coronavirus. They must urgently change course, and bring forward the urgent legal changes that are needed before next week.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

• On 18th March, Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord face unmanageable debts” https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters
• Shelter estimates that 230 000 renters are at risk of a Covid-eviction when the ban is lifted, and 174,000 private tenants have already been threatened with eviction by their landlord or letting agent: https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_releases/articles/230,000_renters_at_risk_of_covid-eviction_when_the_government_ban_lifts
• On 21st August, Robert Jenrick announced a last-minute extension of the evictions ban, which was due to end on 23rd: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jenrick-extends-ban-on-evictions-and-notice-periods#:~:text=The%20ban%20on%20evictions%20extended,at%20least%2031%20March%202021
• Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire wrote to the Robert Jenrick after the ban was extended, calling on the Government to bring forward emergency legislation to protect renters from automatic evictions: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/housing-eviction-ban-coronavirus-labour-emergency-legislation-robert-jenrick-a9701851.html
• Stuart Andrew, standing in for Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the Government’s agenda for w/c 14thSeptember, which did not include time to pass this necessary legislation.