COVENTRY South MP Zarah Sultana has called for rent relief and a ban on evictions as the coronavirus pandemic increases employment worries.
Responding to a £350bn loans package of help for companies announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak, Ms Sultana called on the government to suspend rents and stop families being turned out of their homes.
Business secretary Alok Sharma has today (March 18) said the government is looking at ways to support tenants.
People paying mortgages will have a ‘mortgage holiday’ during the pandemic – but these protections will not apply to buy-to-let landlords or rent for tenants.
The newly elected Labour MP said the government must act “before people are forced onto the streets because this virus stops them from working.”
She spoke in the House of Commons after the Chancellor announced measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Sultana said: “The government has today given a mortgage holiday for homeowners. This is welcome. But they have made the political choice not to give a rent suspension for tenants.
“Average rent is £220 a week. Statutory sick pay is £94.25 a week. So before people are forced onto the streets because this virus stops them from working, I call on the government to follow the example set by other countries and suspend rents and ban evictions – do it today!”
A huge government pledge worth £330bn in loans – equivalent to 15 per cent of GDP – will go to businesses from next week (March 23).
The chancellor says it will help pay business rent, salaries and suppliers.
Other measures to be put in place include extended business rates relief for all firms in the hospitality sector.
Speaking after the Chancellor’s statement, Ms Sultana said: “The government’s measures are totally inadequate. Workers are already being laid off by struggling businesses. We urgently need a people’s bailout: income support for workers who lose their jobs, decent sick pay for all, and a suspension to rents and utility bills.”
