Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rent inflation on the level of disposable incomes and consumer spending.

According to the latest ONS data, annual rental price slowed to 3.5% in January 2026, after peaking at 9.1% in March 2024. However, the Government recognises the pressure that rental inflation places on the finances of households in the private rental sector.

The most effective way to keep rents down is by increasing housing supply across the UK. The Government’s Plan for Change has set a milestone to build 1.5m homes in this Parliament. This will help address the housing crisis which impacts everyone, especially private renters. The Government has also passed the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 which empowers 11 million renters in England to challenge unreasonable rent increases, giving them greater security and stability.