Labour promises a cap on rent rises for 11 million people while David Cameron sets out his ‘2020 vision’ for black and minority ethnic Britons

Rent rises for 11 million people living in private accommodation will be capped at the rate of inflation if Labour wins the general election on 7 May, Ed Miliband will announce on Sunday.

Conservative support slips but party stays just ahead of Labour Read more

In a move designed to appeal to, among others, younger voters priced out of the housing market, Miliband will say that during new three-year secure tenancies, landlords will be barred from increasing rents in any one year above the level of price rises as recorded in the consumer price index.

In a first Labour Queen’s speech of a new parliament, Labour will also introduce legislation requiring landlords to disclose rents charged to their last tenants so that householders have proper information and can negotiate the best deal at the start of their contract. Rogue landlords who do not keep their housing stock up to basic standards will have their “buy to let” tax relief slashed.

Sunday’s announcement fleshes out ideas Labour has been developing over the past two years, to give private tenants greater security of tenure and certainty over what bills they will face.

Currently there are 11 million people – including 1.5 million families with children – renting, with many forced to do so for the long term because they cannot afford to raise the deposits needed to get on the housing ladder.

Rogue landlords who do not keep their housing stock up to basic standards will have 'buy to let tax relief' slashed

The initiative amounts to Miliband’s biggest market intervention since he announced in 2013 that Labour would freeze gas and electricity bills for every home and business in the UK for 20 months, if it formed the next government.

Miliband said Labour was committed to building 200,000 more homes every year by 2020 but it also had to help those stuck in the rental market.

“Labour will build the homes which local people want to buy. But we will never turn our backs on Generation Rent. And we want to encourage all those responsible landlords who provide decent homes for people and stable income for themselves.

“Too many people are struggling to meet the costs of putting a roof over their head. Some are saving for a deposit year after year, while the dream of owning their own home seems further and further away. Others are having to move all the time, ripping up roots at work or with friends – even having to change their kids’ schools.”

Labour is trying to seize the initiative after a Tory plan to extend the right to buy to those living in housing association homes was widely criticised by housing experts, and some in the Conservative party itself.

With 11 days to voting on 7 May, the latest Opinium poll for the Observer put the Tories one point ahead of Labour, but their lead is down three points compared with a week ago. The Tories are on 34% (–2), Labour 33% (+1), Ukip 13% (n/c), the Lib Dems 9% (+1) and the Greens 6% (+1). A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times has Labour on 34%, two points ahead of the Tories, with Ukip on 14%, the Lib Dems on 9% and the Greens on 6%.

David Cameron promises 20% more jobs, students and apprenticeships for ethnic minorities by the end of the decade.

On Saturday David Cameron set out what he termed a “2020 vision” for black, Asian and minority communities, promising 20% more jobs, students and apprenticeships – as well as 20% of selections in Westminster seats where Tory MPs are standing down – for ethnic minorities by the end of the decade.

“We’re the party of the first female prime minister,” Cameron said. “The party of the first Jewish prime minister. And I know that, one day, we’re going to be the party of the first black or Asian prime minister.

“I want this to be an opportunity country, where no matter who you are or where you’re from; whether you’re black, white, Asian or mixed race; whether you’re from the inner city or rural heartlands; you can make the most of your talents.”