Families could get free cash to help pay their rent as the cost of keeping a roof over your head continues to soar. Michael Gove said the Government was considering providing direct support to families in need.
The Levelling Up Secretary was questioned by the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg about whether Brits would receive help paying their rent. It comes as landlords continue to hike rent prices.
Mr Gove said: "Well we know people in the private rented the sector and in the social rented sector are facing tough times.
"We are looking at a range of options to help them. It could mean targeted support for all sorts of people who are in difficulty.
"I can't anticipate specific support. There are people in all sorts of difficult economic circumstances.
"Rent is going to be one of the challenges people will face. We also have food price inflation, we have already had support for people facing rising energy prices...
"There are different ways of supporting people, whether that's through universal credit, the tax system, or direct support."
While he did not guarantee giving families free cash to pay their rent he also did not rule it out. His comments also suggest the Government is giving serious thought to providing targeted support to those who need it the most. This is a step change from Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng's energy price cap, which saw everyone benefit from the same price freeze no matter their wealth.
Mr Gove's comments come as rent outside London hit record highs. Rightmove has said trends between July and September hit an average of £1,162 a month on average.
