London Mayor Sadiq Khan is renewing his efforts to secure rent control powers in the Capital.
He told members of the London Assembly it was top of his list of devolved powers, and it was essential to improve conditions for renters.
Key pledge
Rent controls were one of Khan’s key election pledges before he was re-elected as Mayor in May.
And he has stated many times that he wanted to introduce rent caps in London.
A devolution white paper currently under consideration could lead to new rent controls in different parts of the country.
Why can’t we have what Edinburgh has?”
The Mayor admitted that ministers were not keen on the idea, and an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill introducing rent caps was unlikely to be agreed.
He asked, “Why can’t we have what Edinburgh has?”
His argument that the Scottish Government had introduced rent freezes, so why couldn’t the same thing be done in the Capital, appears to be falling on deaf ears in the Government.
Undaunted
But undaunted Khan is ploughing on, perhaps hoping that a change in leadership of the Labour Party, with fellow Mayor Andy Burnham taking over, might mean a shift in position.
Burnham, who is the Mayor of Manchester, is rumoured to be considering a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer as the Prime Minister struggles to asset his authority after just a year in power.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: “The Government will not allow rent controls in London or anywhere else.
“We will empower tenants to challenge excessive rent hikes through our Renters’ Rights Bill to give people housing security.”