Boris Johnson said there would be support for private renters (Picture: Getty)

The prime minister has said that tenants will be protected from eviction during the coronavirus crisis.

Quizzed by Jeremy Corbyn, he responded: ‘I can confirm we will be bringing forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction. That is one thing we will be doing.

‘But it is also important as we legislate that we do not simply pass on the problem, so we will also be taking steps to protect other actors in the economy.’

Mr Corbyn urged him to give details quickly, telling him: ‘We know the stress private sector renters are going through. They need something said urgently. Today would be appropriate.’




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Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, the Labour leader said: ‘Yesterday, the Chancellor offered nothing to the 20 million people living in rented housing, including three million households with children.

‘They are worried – worried sick that they can’t pay their rent if they get ill, lose pay or they need to self-isolate.

‘It is in the interest of public health that people don’t feel forced to go to work in order to avoid eviction when they know themselves they may be spreading this terrible disease.’

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Yesterday, he had called for more support for renters, saying: ‘Millions of people rent in the UK. Suspend rents. Ban evictions. Now.’

It comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced yesterday that mortgages could be frozen for three months when he pledged a £330 billion package to prop up the economy.

But there was no mention of millions of people in rental accommodation, who Labour said were also at risk of losing their jobs and businesses.

A spokesperson for Tenants Union UK, which provides assistance to people who rent properties, said yesterday that the lack of support for renters was ‘disappointing’.

A spokesperson said: ‘Obviously the Government has said this is the start and that they will announce more [support] in the coming days, but I don’t understand why they couldn’t announce it all in one go and give that sense of security to those who are really worrying.’

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