MORE than 50 trade unions, tenants’ groups and politicians have backed the National Housing Demonstration in central London, demanding urgent rent controls and a new generation of accessible council homes.

Thousands of tenants from across England and Wales are expected to take to the streets on Saturday April 18, in protest at the government’s “refusal to tackle runaway rents.”

Major unions, including the NEU, PCS and FBU, are joining forces with the Green Party, London Renters Union, Greater Manchester Tenants Union, Generation Rent and dozens of grassroots campaigns.

Asking rents for private tenants have risen by 44 per cent since the pandemic, while social rents and service charges continue to climb, campaigners warn.

About one in three renters now struggles to afford essentials like food and heating, and 330,000 households are currently facing homelessness.

Many social tenants face above-inflation rent increases, while enduring unsafe conditions and years-long delays for repairs.

London Renters Union’s Elyem Chej said: “Tenants need an alternative to our rigged housing system.

“Soaring rents are pushing us into poverty and out of our neighbourhoods while corporate giants build luxury flats we can’t afford.

“[Prime Minister] Keir Starmer’s government is making the housing crisis worse, putting developer profits before our communities.”

Martin Wicks of Defend Council Housing said: “The government’s strategy of planning liberalisation and reliance on the large volume private builders is doomed to fail.

“Social rent council housing is the key to resolving the housing crisis.”

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, who is supporting the action, said: “We must continue to campaign for a mass social housing programme and for private rent controls.

“Housing should be a right for everyone — let’s reclaim housing as a public good for everyone.”

The government was approached for comment.