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Could there be a Covid surge in homelessness?

On 23 August, one of the major protections put in place to prevent tenants being made homeless during the coronavirus crisis will come to an end.

The evictions ban is due to be lifted as the housing charity Shelter says nearly a quarter of a million people in England have fallen into rent arrears since March.

The Welsh Government has already extended the notice period of eviction and the Scottish Government is planning to extend its moratorium on evictions until spring 2020, subject to parliamentary approval.

Public health bodies and housing charities are asking the Government to do the same in England to ensure nobody is made homeless as a result of Covid-19.

Where does all this uncertainty leave tenants and landlords?

Business Editor Helen Thomas reports.

Katie Razzall is joined by Labour shadow minister Stephen Doughty and former Conservative minister for housing and homelessness, Heather Wheeler.

Release date:

Duration:

13 minutes