“There are more landlords in Parliament than there have been at any time in living memory,” said David Renton, a campaigner and barrister specialising in housing. “They won’t accept the case for change, even when the arguments are overwhelming.
“COVID showed us that millions of families are insecure in their homes: benefits changes mean they can’t afford the rent, while landlords can evict tenants at will. During lockdown, it felt as if all of society agreed, we had to change the law. The only people who resisted were ministers. Now we know why.”
Other ministers earning money from private property include the secretary of state for Scotland, Alister Jack. He owns two cottages, a salmon fishery and agricultural land in Dumfries and Galloway – all of which he rents out.
Environment minister Rebecca Pow rents out agricultural land which she part-owns – and which generates additional income from a telecom mast. She also owns two houses in Somerset, one of which she joint-owns with her sister, as well as having a stake in a commercial building in the area.
Eighteen Labour MPs have also declared rental income from private property, according to the Register of Interests, along with four MPs from the SNP.
This includes Labour’s shadow housing secretary, Lucy Powell, who rents out a room in her London flat. The Register of Interests says that Powell earns at least £10,000 a year from this, suggesting she charges at least £833 a month for rent.
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