In the first King’s Speech in more than 70 years, the Conservatives showed they do not have a plan to fix the fundamental problems facing the country – they are more interested in saving their own skin.
An indefinite delay to ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions is particularly concerning.
Homelessness is rising and the most common reason for a household being at risk of homelessness is the ending of a private rented tenancy.
Since the Tories first promised the ending of no-fault evictions in April 2019, a total of 71,310 households have faced a no-fault eviction.
Councils are experiencing unprecedented demand for temporary accommodation, spending £1.74 billion supporting 104,000 households in private temporary accommodation while they wait for a permanent home.
“After 13 years of Conservative government and 15 housing ministers, the housing crisis is the worst it has ever been”
Now, despite a national homelessness crisis, the Tories have delayed the implementation of the ban because of backlogs in the court system, with no timescale for addressing the problem.
Labour recognises that renters have been let down for too long already. That is why Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Angela Rayner is promising to deliver an immediate ban, with no caveats, on no-fault evictions within the first days of a Labour government.
Moreover, Labour recognises you cannot fix homelessness without increasing the supply of housing.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer is determined to get Britain building again, with 1.5 million new homes built over the next Parliament. Labour will deliver the biggest boost to affordable house building in a generation.
After 13 years of Conservative government and 15 housing ministers, the housing crisis is the worst it has ever been, national finances are in a terrible state, the economy has stagnated, and the cost-of-living crisis continues for families and local authorities.
We desperately need a mission-driven Labour government that can fix our country.