Part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, the speech marks the start of the parliamentary year and sets out the new government’s priorities for the months ahead.
The King said the government would give “greater rights and protections to people renting their homes, including ending ‘no fault’ evictions and reforming grounds for possession” through a new Renters’ Rights Bill.
Additional legislation pledged in the speech included a Planning and Infrastructure Bill to “get Britain building” and an English Devolution Bill which will give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities.
The government will also publish draft legislation on reforming leasehold and commonhold.
The Money Advice Trust welcomed the decision to introduce a Renter’s Rights Bill. It said the move will protect renters struggling with their bills through the removal of no-fault evictions and providing avenues to challenge unaffordable rent rises.
However, the charity is calling for urgent action to help households struggling with the fallout of high costs, including targeted support for people with unaffordable energy arrears and urgent reform of the Universal Credit deductions process to ensure people on the lowest incomes aren’t pushed into financial difficulty.
Money Advice Trust director of engagement Matt Hartley said: “The government is right to prioritise the Renters Rights Bill, which will ensure renters struggling with their finances are protected from unfair eviction. “
“However, with 6.8 million people struggling to pay for essentials, we also need to see a clear plan to help people afford the basics, including improving support under Universal Credit.
“And while the aim of approving affordability in the energy market longer-term is welcome, energy arrears levels are already at record highs. What’s needed now is support for people dealing with unmanageable energy debts through a Help to Repay scheme.”
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