The minister who was behind the controversial Renters Reform Bill and the accompanying White Paper has this morning resigned from the government.

Eddie Hughes MP has tweeted: “I have decided to hand back by red box in return for the opportunity to spend yet more time working for my constituents in Walsall North, championing their causes in Parliament. Thank you to all in the rough sleeping & housing sectors for support during my time as a Minister.”

Although Hughes has been widely recognised as a hard working and well informed minister, the legislation and proposals he drew up have been seen as swinging power in favour of tenants.

Hughes was an advocate of the scrapping of S21 powers for landlords, which has caused widespread controversy within the rental sector.

Some observers thought Hughes may have been in line for promotion to Housing Secretary but that job – and its position in the Cabinet – went to Simon Clarke, a former junior minister in the past. 

There has so far been no word on Hughes’ replacement at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Nor has there been any indication as to whether the rental sector proposals that Hughes made will be continued under new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Shelter’s chief executive, Polly Neate, has this morning tweeted a tribute to Hughes, saying: “Thank you Eddie Hughes for your work as minister. At long last we saw thinking on housing policy and homelessness policy start to join up at government level and your experience in the sector really showed.”

Peter Stephenson, director of westcountry homelessness charity St Petrocks, went to social media to say: “Saddened to see Eddie Hughes step down … we disagree about many things but I know Eddie has a genuine heart for his brief and brought an understanding of the issues that is rare amongst ministers.” 

And Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns for Propertymark, says: “A change of minister will add to the uncertainty the proposals within the renters’ reform white paper have created among the landlords our member agents represent, specifically the lack of protections against anti-social behaviour with the removal of Section 21 notices and the move away from fixed-term tenancies. We’re ready to work closely with whoever replaces Eddie Hughes to ensure that if the private rented sector is to be reformed, it is fair, balanced and workable, and goes ahead without any further delays.”