Andy Burnham is reportedly preparing a new package of measures aimed at addressing the United Kingdom’s ongoing cost of living challenges, with rent controls expected to play a significant role. The former mayor of Greater Manchester, who is widely anticipated to become prime minister on 20 July, has long advocated for tighter regulation of the private rental sector, a policy he has sought unsuccessfully in the past.

In 2023, Burnham formally requested greater authority from then housing secretary Michael Gove to implement rent controls across Greater Manchester. At the time, he described how landlords, often working through letting agents, appeared to be imposing steep rent increases that were disproportionate to their actual cost rises, taking advantage of the broader economic pressures on households. His proposal called for an immediate freeze on rent levels for one year, followed by a second year during which rent hikes would be limited to no more than the rate of inflation.

Several of Burnham’s earlier suggestions have since been incorporated into national legislation. The Renters’ Rights Act, introduced after his initial demands, included provisions for an inspection regime for rented properties, the development of “property improvement plans” for all rental housing, and enhanced powers for local councils to compulsorily purchase substandard homes.

With Burnham poised to enter Downing Street, rent control policies are said to be under renewed consideration at the national level, reflecting longstanding concerns over affordability in the private rental market. Alongside potential rent measures, his forthcoming strategy is expected to include initiatives aimed at reducing energy bills and imposing a cap on bus fares, further targeting the economic strain felt by many UK households amid rising prices.

Details of the full package and its timeline have yet to be confirmed, but the inclusion of rent controls signals a possible shift in government approach toward housing policy, with a focus on protecting renters from escalating costs during the ongoing cost of living crisis.