An MP who has been an outspoken critic of rental legislation has been promoted to a key role in Andy Burnham’s government.

Until last week Florence Eshalomi has been chair of the powerful all-party select committee on housing, communities and local government.

In that role she has made it clear that more must be done to protect tenants.

Just last month her committee issued a report saying the Renters Rights Act did not go far enough.

She urged stronger deterrents against Act breaches by landlords, earlier compliance with the new Decent Homes Standard ahead of the 2035 deadline, and an accelerated roll out of Awaab’s Law in the private rented sector.

She and other committee members demanded the government to be more ambitious in its plans for the Private Rented Sector Database so it can act as a tool to drive up standards and give tenants comprehensive information on the fitness of landlords, the quality of homes, and enable the reporting of concerns. 

Now Eshalomi – a London Labour MP – has been appointed as a minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

She will work alongside Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook and reinstated Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.