The minister who was behind the controversial Renters Reform Bill and the accompanying White Paper has this morning resigned from the government.
Eddie Hughes MP has tweeted: “I have decided to hand back by red box in return for the opportunity to spend yet more time working for my constituents in Walsall North, championing their causes in Parliament. Thank you to all in the rough sleeping & housing sectors for support during my time as a Minister.”
Although Hughes has been widely recognised as a hard working and well informed minister, the legislation and proposals he drew up have been seen as swinging power in favour of tenants.
Hughes was an advocate of the scrapping of S21 powers for landlords, which has caused widespread controversy within the rental sector.
Some observers thought Hughes may have been in line for promotion to Housing Secretary but that job – and its position in the Cabinet – went to Simon Clarke, a former junior minister in the past.
There has so far been no word on Hughes’ replacement at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Nor has there been any indication as to whether the rental sector proposals that Hughes made will be continued under new Prime Minister Liz Truss.