The Co-Operative Bank and the campaigning charity Shelter have joined hands to voice their opposition to Section 21 evictions, a contentious issue plaguing the rental market. In a coordinated effort, the two organizations have orchestrated a protest in central London, aiming to draw attention to the alarming number of families affected by such evictions.
According to Shelter, a staggering 172 families in England receive Section 21 eviction notices every day. To emphasize the magnitude of this issue, Parliament Square will be adorned with moving boxes just as the parliamentary summer recess commences.
“In our symbolic demonstration, each box represents one of the families facing the heart-wrenching prospect of losing their homes due to no-fault evictions,” stated a Shelter spokesperson.
The charity further revealed that over the past three years, more than 188,000 private renting families with children have fallen victim to Section 21 evictions, resulting in profound instability. Shockingly, it is estimated that 277,000 families have had to uproot their lives and relocate three or more times within the past five years.
Polly Neate, the Chief Executive of Shelter, expressed her concern, stating, “The government’s inaction on the Renters (Reform) Bill is a failure to support renters. While Members of Parliament enjoy their six-week summer break, another 172 families will be served with a no-fault eviction notice, leaving them with a mere two months to pack up their lives and leave their homes.”
Neate continued, “With skyrocketing private rents and an acute shortage of genuinely affordable social housing, those awaiting eviction face an increasingly hostile situation. Rather than a relaxing holiday, these families will be desperately scrambling to find alternative accommodation. Many parents will be forced to accept exorbitant rental prices and endure substandard living conditions or face the grim reality of homelessness.”
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, she added, “It is unacceptable that the Renters Reform Bill has languished in Parliament, while eviction notices promised to be banned years ago continue to inundate people’s doorsteps. The government must prioritize the reintroduction of the Bill as soon as Parliament reconvenes. The 11 million private renters in England are depending on it.”
Supporting Shelter’s cause, Nick Slape, Chief Executive Officer at the Co-operative Bank, affirmed, “Fighting poverty and inequality across the UK is of utmost importance to our customers, which is why we are campaigning alongside Shelter on this critical issue. While we appreciate the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill in Parliament, we now require concrete action from the government. Countless families across the country are relying on it.”
As the Co-Op Bank and Shelter’s united front challenges the status quo, their plea for reform resonates with those affected by Section 21 evictions. With their attention-grabbing stunt, they aim to spur the government into swift action, offering hope to the countless families caught in the precarious grip of an unjust housing system.