16th
Sep 2022
Shortly before the announcement of the new Conservative Prime Minister, the minister who is perceived as the main force behind the highly controversial Renters Reform Bill and the accompanying White Paper, resigned from his post before the new Cabinet appointments.
Eddie Hughes MP tweeted: “I have decided to hand back by red box in return for the opportunity to spend yet more time working for my constituents in Walsall North, championing their causes in Parliament. Thank you to all in the rough sleeping & housing sectors for support during my time as a Minister.”
Although Hughes has been widely regarded as an extremely diligent and highly informed minister, the proposals and legislation is seen as heavily ‘weighted’ towards tenants.
Hughes has always been strongly in favour of ditching S21 powers for landlords which has been strongly criticised by the industry.
Many thought within the political circle thought that there was a strong possibility of Hughes being awarded the Housing Secretary role, however a previous junior minister Simon Clarke has been promoted and it is more than likely that a couple of ‘Chinese whisper’s’ may have persuaded Hughes to step down.
As of yet Hughes’ successor has not been announced by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
It is far too early in the day to gauge whether the Rental Reform Bill’s proposals will be followed chapter and verse under new Prime Monster Liz Truss.
Shelter's chief executive, Polly Neate, tweeted a tribute to Hughes, saying: "Thank you Eddie Hughes for your work as minister. At long last we saw thinking on housing policy and homelessness policy start to join up at government level and your experience in the sector really showed."
Peter Stephenson, director of westcountry homelessness charity St Petrocks, also took to social media to say: "Saddened to see Eddie Hughes step down ... we disagree about many things but I know Eddie has a genuine heart for his brief and brought an understanding of the issues that is rare amongst ministers."
The head of policy and campaigns for an agents’ trade body, says: “A change of minister will add to the uncertainty the proposals within the renters’ reform white paper have created among the landlords our member agents represent, specifically the lack of protections against anti-social behaviour with the removal of Section 21 notices and the move away from fixed-term tenancies. We’re ready to work closely with whoever replaces Eddie Hughes to ensure that if the private rented sector is to be reformed, it is fair, balanced and workable, and goes ahead without any further delays.”
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