Housing Secretary Steve Reed has unequivocally dismissed the prospect of introducing rent controls, despite recent hints from Rachel Reeves that help could be on the way for tenants.
Mr Reed said that he is “crystal clear” the government is “not doing” a rent freeze for private tenants.
His firm rejection follows reports that the chancellor had declined to rule out the measure on Tuesday.
Mr Reed also rejected suggestions that the government’s stance had been ambiguous to avoid losing voters to the Green Party, which advocates for such controls.
Asked on Times Radio if Ms Reeves’s comments were a tactic to dampen the threat from Zack Polanski’s party in the May elections, Mr Reed was emphatic: “No. I think I’ve just been crystal clear, we’re not doing it.”
The Guardian had previously reported that the chancellor was considering a one-year rent freeze to help ease the cost-of-living burden, citing the Iran war.
Asked to “examine the case for a fixed-term rent freeze” by Labour MP Yuan Yang in the Commons, Ms Reeves said on Tuesday: “This Government have already taken action to reduce the cost of living and to bear down on inflation with the changes around energy prices, around fuel duty, prescription charges and rail fares.
“I will do everything in my power and use every lever we have to bear down on the cost of living, including for people in the private rented sector.
“That is why we have already introduced the Renters’ Rights Act.
“Whilst for people who have mortgages, they have seen cuts in their mortgage rates since we came into office, we will do everything we can to also help people in the private rented sector, because we must ensure that this conflict in the Middle East does not result in our constituents being poorer.”
Asked about his Cabinet colleague’s remarks, Mr Reed said: “You’d need to ask her about the particular language she may have used but she was probably referring, I would guess, without having been there, to the fact that we’re changing the law to give renters additional rights… the biggest increase in rights for renters in a generation.”
It comes as the Government confirmed plans to extend the period before social housing tenants can buy their home under the Right to Buy scheme would be taken forward following a consultation.
The existing three-year eligibility period will be increased to 10 years, which ministers argue will restore “fairness” to the system by ensuring the scheme is available only to those with long-term roots in the community.
Newly built social housing will also be exempt from Right to Buy for 35 years under the changes, which Labour says will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “Devoid of ideas and engulfed in sleaze, Labour have resorted to reheating announcements from last year in a desperate attempt to distract from the crisis surrounding the Prime Minister.
“Alongside this attack on ambition, taxes on housing and axing support for home ownership, Labour are failing abysmally to deliver the new homes they have promised.”
Starmer latest: PM ‘could bring Rayner back’ to avoid leadership challenge
Charities slam Tony Blair think tank report on disability benefits
Starmer in the clear after former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
Energy crisis could wipe £35bn off UK economy – even in best-case scenario
Iran’s UK ambassador summoned to Foreign Office over embassy’s social media post
Fresh breakthrough in plans to curb social media for under-16s in UK
