Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, responding to reports that the Government will extend the evictions ban to 20 September, said: 

“This eleventh hour U-turn was necessary, but such a brief extension means there is a real risk that this will simply give renters a few more weeks to pack their bags.   

“Boris Johnson has been warned for months about the looming evictions crisis, but stuck his head in the sand.   

“People living in rented accommodation should not be paying the price for this Government’s incompetence. 

“Section 21 evictions must be scrapped and renters must be given proper support. The ban should not be lifted until the Government has a credible plan to ensure that no-one loses their home as a result of coronavirus.”