A blow to millions of tenants as a flagship package is on the verge of collapse

RISHI Sunak’s flagship package to help millions of renters is on the brink of collapse, The Sun understands.

Whitehall insiders claim Conservative manifesto pledge to end “no-fault evictions” is on track failure as Michael Gove is being held to “ransom” by angry Tory MPs.

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Last month, the Housing Secretary pledged to pass the flagship tenant reform bill before this year’s general election.

But distraught officials have accused a backstabbing Tories, including some landlords, of refusing to compromise on the legislation.

Sources say the charges are against the bill is led by Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall.

A Whitehall source said: “It looks like the Renters Reform Bill could now collapse and the Tories risk breaking their manifesto pledge to end no-fault evictions.

“Officials are facing a total loss as both pro-landlord groups like the National Residential Landlords Association and pro-tenant groups like the Renters Reform Coalition want this bill passed as quickly as possible.

“It appears that a small group of MPs, led by Anthony Mangnall, are holding the bill to ransom.”

Mr Mangnall, who is not a landlord himself, stressed that he supports the abolition of no-fault evictions.

But he claimed a large number of Tories are furious about the bill which would ban fixed-term leases and replace them with periodic leases without an end date.

Ministers and rebels have reached a stalemate and insiders fear time will run out to bring the bill to the House of Commons – meaning it will fail.

Mr Mangnall said: “I want to amend the bill so as not to overturn it.

“My role as a legislator is to ensure that we pass sensible legislation. We have had constructive meetings with Michael Gove.

“It’s about finding the right balance.”

Tom Darling, campaign director at the Renters Reform Coalition, said: “Another delay to this legislation caused by an ungovernable group of Conservative MPs – many of whom are landowners.

“It is becoming clear that they are planning to undermine their own pledge to end no-fault evictions at the eleventh hour.

“The truth is that the Renters (Reform) Bill is the bare minimum that tenants need – we will not support a grubby deal between the government and the backers of landlords that is little better than the miserable status quo.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling, Housing and Communities said: “Our historic Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rental sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people greater security in their homes and empowering them to tackle bad practice.

“We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups representing all parties in the private rental sector.”