New Prime Minister Andy Burnham could announce a year-long rent freeze for the private sector as early as Monday, according to ideas circulating within his team. Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader on Friday, is set to become Prime Minister on Monday and will unveil his policies shortly after.
Background of the Proposed Rent Freeze
In 2023, while serving as Greater Manchester mayor, Burnham wrote to the government demanding a rent freeze “to help renters weather the worst of the cost of living crisis and help prevent huge numbers of renters facing homelessness.” The open letter argued that such a measure would “immediately relieve pressure on millions of people and halt an eviction crisis that would have a devastating social impact, and cost local councils and the government millions.”
Expert and Political Support
Dr Beth Stratford, a political economist at University College London (UCL), backed the proposal, stating: “Rent controls are one of the few policies that can provide immediate relief to struggling households and provide a much needed boost to local economies, whilst saving the government billions.” She added: “Combined with the right fiscal and legal framework, well-designed rent controls create a historic opportunity: a managed transfer of homes out of the insecure and unaffordable private rented sector and into home ownership or secure and permanently affordable ownership by councils, housing associations and community-led organisations.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “We have an incoming prime minister who has talked a big game about changing this country. But we’ve heard that before. If Andy Burnham is serious about ending rip-off Britain, fixing our broken system and putting money back in the pockets of ordinary people – rent controls simply must be at the top of his agenda.”
Paul Williams, national organiser for ACORN, commented: “While landlords and property investors were in there talking about how to make more money from housing, renters are being pushed into poverty and out of our homes. We took over their stage because we need rent controls, not another year of rent hikes, and we’re going to keep making our voices heard until everyone has a safe, secure and affordable home.”
Impact and Next Steps
The proposed rent freeze is expected to be a key policy announcement in Burnham's first days in office, aiming to address the ongoing housing affordability crisis. If implemented, it would mark a significant shift in housing policy, potentially affecting millions of private renters across the UK.
