No 10 dismisses Reeves’s reported plan for freeze on private rents
Downing Street has rejected reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves planned a one-year freeze on private rents, stating it is not the government's approach, though Reeves did not rule out the idea when questioned in Parliament. The proposal, aimed at curbing rising living costs linked to global disruptions from the Iran war, would have exempted new builds to support housing supply. While some Labour MPs and renters' groups welcomed the idea, others expressed concern it could reduce rental availability and undermine long-term housing goals. The government reiterated its focus on lowering energy prices and cutting household bills instead.
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The chancellor was understood to have been considering imposing a one-year rent freeze as part of a package to tackle the cost of living. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PAView image in fullscreenThe chancellor was understood to have been considering imposing a one-year rent freeze as part of a package to tackle the cost of living. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PARachel ReevesNo 10 dismisses Reeves’s reported plan for freeze on private rentsDowning Street says focus will remain on cutting bills, backing renters and lowering energy pricesKiran Stacey Policy editorTue 28 Apr 2026 14.47 EDTFirst published on Tue 28 Apr 2026 14.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleDowning Street has dismissed the idea of a freeze on private sector rents even as Rachel Reeves left the door open to such a move,…
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