16th
Jan 2023
In his key speech earlier this month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not bother to even mention the long awaited and much lauded Renters Reform Bill, so perhaps he does not regard it as a key priority.
No doubt this will bitterly disappoint the likes of Generation Rent, Shelter and other pressure groups after their concerted lobbying campaigns.
In his speech in Stratford the PM said he would focus ‘relentlessly on five key issues.
He said: “I want to make five promises to you today. Five pledges to deliver peace of mind. Five foundations, on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.
"First, we will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security. Second, we will grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.
"Third, we will make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future of public services. Fourth, NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.
"Fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed.
"So, five promises - we will: Halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats. Those are the people's priorities. They are your government's priorities. And we will either have achieved them or not.
"No tricks, no ambiguity, we're either delivering for you or we're not. We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. So, I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve."
The Prime Minister promised he and his cabinet will work "night and day" to successfully deal with the five key challenges over this parliament, and will create "a future that restores optimism, hope and pride in Britain".
Sunak’s speech covered many areas including education, hard work, innovation, social care and other topics, however housing and rental reform were not mentioned.
This is very surprising considering that just before Christmas Housing Secretary Michael Gove, said: “We’re going to be bringing forward more legislation to improve the position of people in the private rented sector. We want to make sure that people in the private rented sector are confident that local government is on their side. We will bring forward legislation that will give them better protection. It will come in the next calendar year, so 2023.”
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