Labour’s shadow housing secretary claims that private renters have been “barely considered” during the past year of the pandemic.

Thangam Debbonaire made the comment in support of a Shelter statement which claimed over six million people in England were actively worried about becoming homeless. 

The Shelter report also claims that private renters are almost twice as likely to feel depressed and anxious about their housing situation compared with the general public. Some 47 per cent say they are more depressed and anxious in light of the pandemic. 

Further findings include that, in just the last month, 24 per cent of private renters have had to borrow money to pay their rent, 18 per cent have cut back on food or skipped meals to pay their rent, and 12 per cent have cut back on heating their home to pay their rent.

Debbonaire backs the report, saying: “A decade of Conservative governments has weakened the foundations of our economy. As a result, we came into this crisis with too many people just a few steps away from homelessness.

“Renters have been barely considered throughout this crisis. The government promised that no-one will lose their home because of Coronavirus, but holes in their so-called evictions ban mean thousands of people have been made homeless at the height of the pandemic.

“The government must strengthen the ban on evictions and deal with the growing arrears crisis.”