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Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent increase claims | Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent increase claims |
(30 minutes later) | |
Rushanara Ali has resigned as homelessness minister, Downing Street has confirmed. | Rushanara Ali has resigned as homelessness minister, Downing Street has confirmed. |
The move comes after she was accused of hypocrisy over the way she handled rent increases on a house she owns in east London. | The move comes after she was accused of hypocrisy over the way she handled rent increases on a house she owns in east London. |
There were calls for her to step down from homelessness charities and opposition politicians. | There were calls for her to step down from homelessness charities and opposition politicians. |
In a letter to the prime minister she said "at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements" but that remaining in the role would be "a distraction from the ambitious work of this government". | In a letter to the prime minister she said "at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements" but that remaining in the role would be "a distraction from the ambitious work of this government". |
The row was sparked after Ali ended her tenants' fixed term contract in order to sell up, but then re-listed the house for rent at a higher price within six months, which is something she is currently trying to outlaw under the Renters' Rights Bill. | The row was sparked after Ali ended her tenants' fixed term contract in order to sell up, but then re-listed the house for rent at a higher price within six months, which is something she is currently trying to outlaw under the Renters' Rights Bill. |
In a story first broken by the the i Paper, a former tenant said she was sent an email in November giving four months' notice the lease would not be renewed. | In a story first broken by the the i Paper, a former tenant said she was sent an email in November giving four months' notice the lease would not be renewed. |
She said shortly after she and the three other tenants moved out, the house in east London was re-listed at a rent £700 a month higher. | She said shortly after she and the three other tenants moved out, the house in east London was re-listed at a rent £700 a month higher. |
In a letter to the prime minister, Ali wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I offer you my resignation as a minister." | In a letter to the prime minister, Ali wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I offer you my resignation as a minister." |
Insisting that "at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements" she added: "I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this. | Insisting that "at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements" she added: "I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this. |
"However, it is clear that continuing in my role will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government. | "However, it is clear that continuing in my role will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government. |
"I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position." | "I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position." |
Responding to her resignation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thanked her for her work, which he called "diligent". | Responding to her resignation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thanked her for her work, which he called "diligent". |
The PM praised her work to repeal the Vagrancy Act and added: "I know you will continue to support the government from the backbenches and represent the best interests of your constituents in Bethnal Green and Stepney." | |
What are the rules about renting and eviction, and how are they changing? | What are the rules about renting and eviction, and how are they changing? |
London's 'spiralling' housing crisis in numbers | London's 'spiralling' housing crisis in numbers |
A source close to Ali said the previous fixed-term contract had been ended because the house was being put up for sale and the tenants had been told they could stay on a rolling basis while the house was on the market, but they had chosen to go. | A source close to Ali said the previous fixed-term contract had been ended because the house was being put up for sale and the tenants had been told they could stay on a rolling basis while the house was on the market, but they had chosen to go. |
The house was put on the market in November 2024 with an asking price of £914,995 but was reduced in February by £20,000 and the i Paper said it was only re-listed as a rental because it had not sold. | The house was put on the market in November 2024 with an asking price of £914,995 but was reduced in February by £20,000 and the i Paper said it was only re-listed as a rental because it had not sold. |
The government's Renters' Rights Bill is in its final stages in Parliament, and will ban landlords re-listing a property for rent, if they have ended a tenancy in order to sell, for six months. | The government's Renters' Rights Bill is in its final stages in Parliament, and will ban landlords re-listing a property for rent, if they have ended a tenancy in order to sell, for six months. |
Landlords must also give four months' notice to tenants when the legislation is passed, which is not expected to be until at least next year. | Landlords must also give four months' notice to tenants when the legislation is passed, which is not expected to be until at least next year. |
London Renters Union spokesperson Siân Smith said Ali's actions were "indefensible" and she "must step down" due to a "clear conflict of interest" with the Bill in its final stages. | London Renters Union spokesperson Siân Smith said Ali's actions were "indefensible" and she "must step down" due to a "clear conflict of interest" with the Bill in its final stages. |
The Renters' Reform Coalition, which represents private renters, said her resignation was "the right decision". | |
"Her position was completely untenable given she was going to be required to defend the government's legislation outlawing practices she herself had recently engaged in," said director Tom Darling. | |
"The government must get on now and end no-fault evictions urgently so that no more tenants are subject to the kind of behaviour Rushanara Ali engaged in" | |
Tory Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake was among other opposition politicians accusing Ali of "staggering hypocrisy" over the handling of the property. | Tory Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake was among other opposition politicians accusing Ali of "staggering hypocrisy" over the handling of the property. |
After she quit, he added: "It is right that Rushanara Ali has now quit the government following our calls for her to go. | |
"Keir Starmer promised a government of integrity but has instead presided over a government of hypocrisy and self-service." | "Keir Starmer promised a government of integrity but has instead presided over a government of hypocrisy and self-service." |
Also welcoming her resignation, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "Rushanara Ali fundamentally misunderstood her role. | Also welcoming her resignation, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "Rushanara Ali fundamentally misunderstood her role. |
"Her job was to tackle homelessness, not to increase it. | "Her job was to tackle homelessness, not to increase it. |
"At a time of widespread political disillusionment, her actions were staggeringly irresponsible and only added insult to injury after years of delay for renters' rights reform under the Conservatives." | "At a time of widespread political disillusionment, her actions were staggeringly irresponsible and only added insult to injury after years of delay for renters' rights reform under the Conservatives." |
This is not the first time Ali has been criticised. She had to give up part of her ministerial portfolio last year, when she attended a conference linked to the parent company of one of the firms heavily criticised in the recent Grenfell inquiry. | This is not the first time Ali has been criticised. She had to give up part of her ministerial portfolio last year, when she attended a conference linked to the parent company of one of the firms heavily criticised in the recent Grenfell inquiry. |
Giving up her duties managing building safety and the government's response to the Grenfell Tower fire, she said she was relinquishing her building safety brief because "perception matters". | Giving up her duties managing building safety and the government's response to the Grenfell Tower fire, she said she was relinquishing her building safety brief because "perception matters". |
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