In 2019, the previous Conservative government was elected on a manifesto which included a pledge to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. However, five years later, Section 21 remains in place and the Renters (Reform) Bill was never passed.

Since 2019, figures suggest that more than 71,000 households have been evicted using a Section 21 notice. These people were failed by the previous Government which promised to protect them but didn’t.

On 4 July, the new Labour Government was elected on a manifesto which also promised to abolish no fault evictions and, on 17 July, in its first King’s Speech, it announced the introduction of a new Renters’ Rights Bill which, among other things, seeks to finally abolish no fault evictions.

The longer it takes for Section 21 to be revoked, the more people will face potential homelessness. I am therefore pleased that the Renters’ Rights Bill was included in the new Government’s first King’s Speech, and I will be working with my Labour colleagues to get it passed as quickly as we can.