Green Party promises rent controls in Senedd election manifesto

The Wales Green Party has unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Senedd election, with a strong focus on tackling the cost of living crisis. Central to their plans is the implementation of rent controls aimed at easing financial pressure on tenants. The party also commits to introducing £1 bus fares for most adults, along with free public transport access for those under 22, while proposing to replace council tax with a land value tax system.

Anthony Slaughter, the Welsh Greens leader since 2018, emphasized the priority of housing in the manifesto launch event held in Port Talbot. He described the manifesto as a blueprint to improve lives and create a fairer future for residents. Slaughter voiced concerns about widespread public frustration, attributing much of it to what he called “decades of exploitation” and “27 years of managed decline” under Welsh Labour governance. He warned that such anger was being manipulated towards divisive ends but stressed that the Greens offer practical solutions to these challenges.

Among the party’s key commitments are abolishing council tax in favour of taxing land value, ending corridor care in hospitals, bringing Welsh Water back into public ownership, and expanding universal childcare starting from nine months of age. They also aim to protect wildlife through clear environmental goals. A centerpiece of their housing policy is a proposed one-year rent freeze, followed by the establishment of “rent pressure zones” where local authorities could cap rent increases to ensure affordability. Rent hikes would only be allowed if landlords made genuine improvements, particularly upgrades enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The party has pledged to ban no-fault evictions, aligning with existing legislation in Scotland and forthcoming rules in England.

The manifesto outlines plans to build 60,000 social homes over the next decade. While acknowledging risks linked to rent controls, Green candidate Tessa Marshall told BBC Radio Wales that the phased approach, beginning with the rent freeze, aims to mitigate negative effects on the housing sector. In terms of public transport, Slaughter noted the estimated cost: £59 million over three years for free travel under 22, and £256 million for the £1 fare for adults aged 22 to 59. Currently, 16 to 21-year-olds benefit from a £1 single bus fare. Additional proposals include extending universal free school meals to secondary schools and designating corridor care lasting more than 24 hours in Welsh hospitals as a “never event,” obligating NHS compliance to prevent it. The Greens also plan to pursue powers to place Welsh Water into special measures, a precursor to public ownership

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More