Salford city mayor Paul Dennett is demanding a Government-funded rent freeze during the cost of living crisis. Mr Dennett has spoken out and published an open letter alongside the city's MPs Rebecca Long-Bailey (Salford and Eccles) and Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) after the city council took part in the government’s rent cap consultation.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published its proposals for a cap on social housing rent increases, which will be implemented next year. Without Government help, a five per cent rent cap will cost Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) between £42million and £49m. For Salford alone the figure is between £5.3m and £6m.
Mr Dennett said: “In Salford, we suggest that for these measures to have the positive impact envisioned, Government must fully fund these rent proposals ensuring that local authorities and registered providers are compensated for the revenue they would have otherwise received under their business plans for rent increases (generally set at Consumer Price Index, plus one pc).
