Private Rented Sector

Debate between Meg Hillier and Jack Dromey

Wednesday 23rd January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Jack Dromey]

As I will explain later, the use of those licensing powers has been very effective in some local authorities around the country.

Labour is calling on the Government to act now to change the private rented sector so that it works for all: for tenants and for landlords. I read with interest an article—it appeared only today—by the right hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Jake Berry), who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to the former Housing Minister, the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps). It is entitled, “The private rented sector is blocking aspiration and isolating families”, and the very first sentence is:

“The private rented sector is no longer fit for the people it now serves.”

That is absolutely right. If there is a growing recognition across the House that that is the case, we welcome it.

We cannot have two nations divided between those who own their own homes and those who rent. That is why Labour is determined to find a one nation solution to the problems associated with private renting. Everyone, whether renting or buying, should have a decent home at a price that they can afford and enjoy security in that home. Thus far, the Government have taken some welcome steps in the right direction, but they have overwhelmingly failed to rise to the challenge now posed in the private rented sector.

[Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

I draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the biggest mistakes of the many that the Government made in their first few months was to cancel the register of landlords? The desire to change policy and improve the quality of private rented housing is now much more difficult, because we do not know where all those private landlords are.

[Jack Dromey]

A national register of landlords will not in itself solve the problems we face, but it could make a significant contribution. I will address that in greater detail later.

Never has action been more badly needed than now. Millions of families up and down the country are living through the biggest squeeze on living standards in a generation.