Labour’s Housing Record Under Scrutiny as Voters Express Discontent

An Ipsos poll for The i Paper finds 49 % of respondents rate the government’s housing performance as bad, versus 17 % as good. One-third worry about paying rent or mortgage. Only 27 % are familiar with the Renters’ Rights Act, though 52 % view it positively after seeing its provisions. Average house prices topped £300 000 in February, and private rents rose to 36.1 % of average earnings in March – the highest ratio on record.

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Since 2024, Labour has passed the Renters’ Rights Act, the Planning and Infrastructure Act and begun leasehold reform, while unveiling a “next-generation” series of new towns. The government pledged 1.5 million homes but has delivered just over 300 000 in the first 18 months. Public awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act is limited—one-eighth of private renters have never heard of it—and no national rent-control policy exists despite voter demand.

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Ben Marshall, research director at Ipsos, said there is “a degree of goodwill towards the Renters’ Rights Act” but awareness is “patchy”. He warned the survey “highlights the affordability struggles many Britons – especially renters – continue to face, as well as their pessimism about the future.” Labour officials cite the legislative package as proof the government is delivering on its housing agenda.

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Recent local elections saw Labour lose council seats to Reform, the Greens and the Conservatives. In Wandsworth, a Green-led split helped the Conservatives take control; in Hackney, Greens won the mayoralty on a rent-control platform. Reform captured most seats in Tameside, Wigan and Salford, while Liberal Democrats took a majority in Stockport and criticised Labour’s new-home targets. Greens also attacked plans to reclassify green-belt land for development.

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• “One in eight private renters haven’t heard of it at all, and a fifth or more haven’t heard of several procedures to protect them from rent increases.” — Ben Marshall, Research Director, Ipsos

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• “This survey highlights the affordability struggles many Britons – especially renters – continue to face, as well as their pessimism about the future.” — Ben Marshall, Research Director, Ipsos

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• “a degree of goodwill towards the Renters Rights Act and general positivity about its potential impact, awareness of the Act is patchy,” — Ben Marshall, Research Director, Ipsos

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• “close Cancel email WhatsApp link share Share bookmark Save The majority of voters feel Labour is failing to fix the housing crisis – with a third of people saying they are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, a new poll has found.” — iNews

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Sir Keir Starmer is expected to deliver a leadership speech aimed at restoring confidence in Labour’s housing agenda. Leasehold reforms are slated for completion before the next Parliament, and the announced new-town sites will be monitored for delivery against the 1.5 million-home target.

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