Protestors fear that there will be a potential spike in homelessness in the near future despite the government’s U-turn on lifting the eviction ban. 

A four-week extension of the ban was confirmed on Friday, but members of the union Acorn believe this is not not enough to protect vulnerable renters facing financial hardship. 

Acorn members held several protests on Saturday as part of a national day of action to shine a light on the concerns they have about the lifting of the ban. 

Protestors took to the streets around England and Wales calling for more to be done to protect renters. 

Sam Rae, of Acorn Leeds, said: “As soon as this extension ends, there’ll be a tidal wave of evictions and that will cause a homelessness crisis.”

Hector Steenbergen, of Acorn in Swindon, welcomed the government U-turn on lifting the evictions ban but insisted that more needs to be done to support renters. 

He told the press: “As far as we are concerned, this [extension the evictions ban] is just kicking the can a month down the road. 

“The number is set to increase massively but it’s not something we plan to take lying down.

“Right across the country, tenants have shown that when we get organised, we can win the secure housing we deserve.

“We have been busy training our members how to prevent and resist evictions and we encourage anyone facing Covid-related rent debt or evictions to get in touch with Acorn.

“The government has so far failed to act to protect renters seriously and if it is to avert a homelessness crisis, it must act immediately.

“If it doesn’t, we will.”