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  "path": "/money/rent-freeze-labour-rachel-reeves-rules-out",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-28T15:34:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Rachel Reeves slammed as Labour's fuel duty hike leaves drivers facing huge September bill",
    "English school dating back all the way to 631 AD to close for good due to devastating tax",
    "Rachel Reeves considers rent freeze as Iran war threatens household finances",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nLabour has ruled out introducing a temporary rent freeze after speculation emerged following comments by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Commons.\n\nThe clarification came on April 28 after Ms Reeves declined to dismiss the possibility when questioned by Labour MP Yuan Yang.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Reeves told MPs: \"I will do everything in my power and use every lever we have to bear down on the cost of living, including for people in the private rented sector.\"\n\nInitial reports suggested that 12-month rent controls were being considered as part of measures to offset rising costs linked to the Iran war.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA Downing Street spokesperson later said: \"Just to be completely clear, that is not the approach we will be taking.\"\n\nThe speculation prompted a sharp reaction in financial markets, with property-related stocks falling.\n\nShares in OSB Group dropped 3.6 per cent following the reports, as Paragon Banking Group also saw its shares fall 2.4 per cent.\n\nGrainger recorded a decline of close to three per cent.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHelen Gordon, chief executive of Grainger, said: \"Wherever they have been introduced, they reduce the supply of all types of housing and deter investment into existing housing stock, leading to poorer quality housing.\"\n\nMs Gordon said ministers had previously indicated a preference for increasing housing supply through building and planning reform.\n\nRobert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said: \"That's because with rent control there is no incentive for landlords to renovate or even repair their properties.\"\n\nHe said historical examples showed rent controls had contributed to declining housing quality and population reductions in some cities.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Rachel Reeves slammed as Labour's fuel duty hike leaves drivers facing huge September bill\n  * English school dating back all the way to 631 AD to close for good due to devastating tax\n  * Rachel Reeves considers rent freeze as Iran war threatens household finances\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMelanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: \"There is no surer way for the Government to kill off its ambitions to deliver the new homes we desperately need than well-intentioned but inept knee-jerk Government intervention.\"\n\nThe National Residential Landlords Association said the prospect would damage confidence among landlords and investors.\n\nThe organisation said: \"It is reckless for this kind of uncertainty to be created in the same week that major reforms already causing concern among landlords come into force.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Renters' Rights Act is due to come into effect on May 1, introducing new protections for tenants in England.\n\nThe National Residential Landlords Association said: \"For many, it may be enough to conclude that this is the moment to exit the private rented sector for good.\"\n\nHousing minister Matthew Pennycook has previously rejected calls for rent controls, citing international examples where such policies have had negative effects on housing markets.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Labour rules out rent freeze after Rachel Reeves's comments spark market turmoil"
}