RE:UK response to rent controls speculation

Commenting on this morning's speculation that the Government may exclude any rent freezes or controls from its cost-of-living announcements, our Chief Executive Vanessa Hale said:

"As the Government's policy platform continues to take shape, today's reporting that rent controls are back off the table is welcome. We have consistently made clear the only durable way to tackle housing affordability is through a sustained increase in supply. Policy efforts should therefore be focused interventions that support delivery of new homes. Internationally, the evidence is clear, rent controls undermine investment and, consequently, restrict housing supply. We have raised the issue with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Housing Secretary, and we welcome the fact that Housing Secretary and Minister have both ruled out rent controls previously for these reasons. The Government must definitively rule out rent controls to ensure ongoing speculation does not undermine its priorities on housing.”