Green Party conference: Polanski proposes three-year brake on UK private rents
At the UK Green Party conference in Brighton, leader Zack Polanski proposed a three-year freeze-style cap on private rent increases amid surging living costs, including record diesel prices.
UK Green Party leader Zack Polanski used his conference speech in Brighton to unveil a proposed three-year "emergency brake" on private rent increases. Under the plan, rent rises would be capped at either wage growth or the consumer price index, whichever is lower, preventing sudden hikes and blocking evictions carried out under the pretext of rent changes. Polanski argued the measure would give tenants crucial breathing space, allowing wages time to catch up with rents that have long outpaced them. He also outlined a longer-term goal of a national "Fair Rents Guarantee" intended to keep housing affordable on a lasting basis.
Second day of conference
On the conference's second day, Green deputy leaders addressed members, with Rachel Millward expected to call for water companies to be returned to public ownership immediately, criticising the current government approach as too slow and uncertain. Party leaders were also set to announce a policy guaranteeing jobs for people aged 18 to 24.
Wider cost-of-living backdrop
The rent proposal comes as the cost of living in the UK continues to climb sharply. Diesel prices have pushed past £2 a litre for the first time, up 40% since the start of the year, partly driven by an ongoing conflict involving Iran that has disrupted shipping and oil supplies from Gulf producers. In response, G7 nations, including the UK, agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel reserves. Separately, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to announce a childcare benefit for high earners, while Chancellor John Healey is reportedly preparing a cautious budget focused on targeted support rather than major tax changes.
