Housing Secretary Michael Gove says he “cannot guarantee” that the Rental Reform Bill will get its Second Reading immediately after Parliament resumes.

When MPs return to work after the conferences there is only a brief period when the Commons sits before the King’s Speech, outlining future business, on November 7. 

It is thought that if the Rental Reform Bill doesn’t get its Second Reading by the King’s Speech, it’s process through the Commons goes back to square one – meaning it needs another First Reading, as the Bill originally received back in May.

Gove’s “cannot guarantee” comment was made in a brief conversation at the end of the Tory conference with Ben Twomey, chief executive of activist group Generation Rent.

“We’ve made the case, got the promises, now we need to see results” says Twomey. 

Speaking at a Tory conference fringe meeting this week Gove said speculation that some Tory backbenchers opposed the Bill did not reflect the government’s thinking.

The Bill will go ahead, he said.

The government first committed to abolishing Section 21 in April 2019.