The long-awaited Renters Reform Bill did not even warrant a mention in a key speech yesterday by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – suggesting that it remains only a secondary issue.

This is despite extensive lobbying and sophisticated publicity from Shelter, Generation Rent and other pressure groups.

In a high profile speech at Stratford, Sunak said he would focus “relentlessly” on five issues.

He said: “I want to make five promises to you today. Five pledges to deliver peace of mind. Five foundations, on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren. 

“First, we will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security. Second, we will grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

“Third, we will make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future of public services. Fourth, NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.

“Fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed.

“So, five promises – we will: Halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats. Those are the people’s priorities. They are your government’s priorities. And we will either have achieved them or not.

“No tricks, no ambiguity, we’re either delivering for you or we’re not. We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. So, I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve.”

Sunak promised to work “night and day” to deliver on the  five challenges during this parliament and to create “a future that restores optimism, hope and pride in Britain”.

His speech was wide ranging covering educational aspirations, innovation, hard work, social care and a range of other issues – but there was no mention of housing in general and no specific mention of rental reform.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May first proposed rental reforms, including specially the scrapping of Section 21 eviction powers, back in spring 2019. 

Just two weeks ago, shortly before Christmas, the current Housing Secretary – Michael Gove – said: “We’re going to be bringing forward more legislation to improve the position of people in the private rented sector. We want to make sure that people in the private rented sector are confident that local government is on their side. We will bring forward legislation that will give them better protection. It will come in the next calendar year, so 2023.”

The details of the Renters Reform Bill, contained in a parallel White Paper, were released back in June but the government – at that time led by Boris Johnson – did not set out a timetable for implementation.

The measures included a ban on Section 21 evictions and the extension of the Decent Homes Standard to the private rental sector. It also pledged an end to what it calls “arbitrary rent review clauses, give tenants stronger powers to challenge poor practice, unjustified rent increases and enable them to be repaid rent for non-decent homes.”