A trade union says the government’s intention to scrap Section 21 eviction powers for landlords is “a huge victory” – but it’s calling upon its members to ensure the pledge is actually enacted.

UNISON declares the decision to scrap Section 21 to be “a huge victory for England’s 11m private tenants and UNISON’s housing campaign”.

Despite not being a natural ally of a Conservative government, the union declares that the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government has given “balance” to its proposal by also pledging to reform the court system for landlords, “to make it more efficient and effective.”

So now the union is calling on its members to press the government to honour its pledge by a range of measures.

This includes publicising “the victory” on Twitter, sharing positive messages about the scrapping on Facebook, sharing a briefing paper prepared by the union with work colleagues, and by signing up to the pressure group Generation Rent.

The members are also urged to read the union’s submission to the government’s original formal consultation on scrapping S21, and to follow a link to the MHCLG website where it outlines its plans to – in its words – “end unfair evictions.”

UNISON assistant policy officer Sylvia Jones says the proposals are a major shift in government policy and “a huge victory for private tenants.” 

The proposals “will give them hope for a secure and stable home where they can lay down roots, raise their families and plan their lives. However, more needs to be done to solve the problem of rising rents and poor quality housing to give renters greater protections, security and stability in private renting.”