PROTESTS AT A PANDEMIC OF POVERTY
TENANTS took to the streets yesterday in protest against plans to lift a ban on evictions during the pandemic.
The demos came despite a lastminute decision by ministers hours earlier to extend it by another four weeks.
Court cases had been due to restart tomorrow after being put on hold for five months.
But campaigners want the Government to follow Scotland’s example and extend the eviction ban until next March.
They warn 230,000 people could be made homeless after falling into arrears during the crisis.
Renters’ union Acorn organised protests in 17 towns and cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
Andy Ashe, Coventry branch secretary, said: “Westminster has yet again made a half-hearted last- minute announcement which has not ironed out the details, just days before thousands of people expected to be facing a start to court proceedings and homelessness.
“It seems the mental well-being and peace of mind for tenants is not a priority for Westminster and the Conservative Party.”
Ghazal Haqani, of the London Renters Union, accused ministers of “kicking the can down the road.”
Tenants are some of the millions who face poverty as the withdrawal of support looms.
Curtailment of the furlough in October could trigger two million job losses. Mortgage payment holiday applications end then too.
Shreya Nanda, of the Institute for Public Policy Research, said: “The Government’s plans to end coronavirus support – including the furlough scheme, mortgage holidays and the ban on evictions – put the economic recovery and people’s income security at risk.”
Citizens Advice say six million are behind on bills and a fifth of those have gone hungry as a result.
Lawyers have been told to expect 10 county court hearings a day to deal with the backlog of repossession cases.
Shelter claims nearly half a million private tenants fear “Covid- homelessness” – and 174,000 have already been threatened with eviction.
Chief executive Polly Neate said: “Because of this pandemic, nearly 230,000 private renters had fallen behind with their rent by the end of June, a figure which can only have grown since.
“As the law stands, any renter who builds up eight weeks of arrears can be evicted. This means when the ban ends struggling renters will be fully exposed to the very real risk of eviction.
“We urge the Government not to ignore their pleas for help.”