Labour’s Rayner to shadow Gove on the Housing Brief – what can we expect?
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, has been appointed Shadow Levelling Up Secretary by Sir Keir Starmer.
With this role, she will oppose the Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP in taking on issues such as the reform of the private rented sector.
What are the PRS reforms?
As part of the Government’s levelling up agenda, the Renters Reform Bill was introduced in the hope of tackling inequality. The key measures in the bill include:
- Abolition of Section 21 so-called ‘no fault’ evictions.
- The introduction of a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
- A wider suite of grounds for seeking possession.
- Stronger protections against backdoor evictions.
- Creation of a PRS Portal, digitising information on Landlord obligations.
- The right for a tenant to request a pet move into the property.
Gove’s position
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove stated that the aim is to provide a new deal for landlords and tenants. For tenants, protection against fear of unreasonably losing their home. For landlords, better measures to deal with anti-social tenants.
Gove has also been in the headlines on an almost weekly basis, recently promoting a more lenient approach for landlords with regards to the looming higher EPC rules.
It is fair to say that Gove has been developing a high profile when it comes to housing policy, and with a general election expected in 2024 this could be why the Labour Leader has appointed Ms Rayner into this post.
Rayner’s appointment
Ms Rayner is a key figure in the Labour Party, and she now has the task of taking on Gove with housing reform and winning votes for Labour in the next election. She has never held a housing brief, and so it will be interesting to see how the opposition develop policy around the private rented sector.
Indeed, as we edge ever closer to the next election, we could witness Ms Rayner introducing fresh and innovative policy concepts from her experiences and perspectives gained in other government departments.
Together with The Lettings Hub, Woodstock Legal Services will keep readers up to date of any policy changes as they develop.
