(Alliance News) - Steve Reed has ruled out introducing rent controls after Rachel Reeves appeared to hint at help for tenants to ease the cost of living.
The UK Housing secretary said he is "crystal clear" the government is "not doing" a freeze for private tenants, despite the chancellor declining to reject the idea on Tuesday.
He rejected suggestions the government had been ambiguous about its stance on the prospect of rent controls to avoid losing voters to the Greens, who have made the measure a flagship policy.
Asked whether Reeves had left the door open to a freeze as part of a ploy to dampen the threat from Zack Polanski's party in the May elections, Reed told Times Radio: "No. I think I've just been crystal clear, we're not doing it."
The Guardian reported earlier this week that the chancellor was considering a one-year freeze to help ease the cost-of-living burden caused by the Iran war.
Asked to "examine the case for a fixed-term rent freeze" by Labour MP Yuan Yang in the Commons, Reeves said on Tuesday: "This Government have already taken action to reduce the cost of living and to bear down on inflation with the changes around energy prices, around fuel duty, prescription charges and rail fares.
"I will do everything in my power and use every lever we have to bear down on the cost of living, including for people in the private rented sector.
"That is why we have already introduced the Renters' Rights Act. Whilst for people who have mortgages, they have seen cuts in their mortgage rates since we came into office, we will do everything we can to also help people in the private rented sector, because we must ensure that this conflict in the Middle East does not result in our constituents being poorer."
Asked about his Cabinet colleague's remarks, Reed said: "You'd need to ask her about the particular language she may have used but she was probably referring, I would guess, without having been there, to the fact that we're changing the law to give renters additional rights… the biggest increase in rights for renters in a generation."
It comes as the government confirmed plans to extend the period before social housing tenants can buy their home under the Right to Buy scheme would be taken forward following a consultation.
The existing three-year eligibility period will be increased to 10 years, which ministers argue will restore "fairness" to the system by ensuring the scheme is available only to those with long-term roots in the community.
Newly built social housing will also be exempt from Right to Buy for 35 years under the changes, which Labour says will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Shadow housing secretary James Cleverly said: "Devoid of ideas and engulfed in sleaze, Labour have resorted to reheating announcements from last year in a desperate attempt to distract from the crisis surrounding the prime minister.
"Alongside this attack on ambition, taxes on housing and axing support for home ownership, Labour are failing abysmally to deliver the new homes they have promised."
By Press Association Reporters
Press Association: News
source: PA
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