Britain’s Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali, has resigned from her post following public backlash over a steep rent hike on a property she owns in London
Ali, who served as under-secretary of state for homelessness in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government, submitted her resignation in a letter on Thursday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I offer you my resignation as a minister,” she wrote to the prime minister.
Her resignation came after the i Paper reported that she gave four tenants just four months to vacate a London house she owned, then re-let it weeks later at a rent over £700 ($940) higher.
The revelation drew widespread condemnation from homelessness campaigners and opposition MPs, many of whom called for her to step down given the nature of her ministerial role.
In her letter, Ali defended her actions, stating: “Further to recent reporting, I wanted to make it clear that at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements. I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this.”
She acknowledged, however, the political fallout: “It is clear that continuing in my role will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government.”
Prime Minister Starmer accepted her resignation, praising her contributions, including her efforts to repeal the Vagrancy Act, which he said would have “a significant impact.”
Ali’s exit is viewed as a setback for Labour’s housing reform agenda at a time when homelessness and housing affordability remain pressing issues in the UK.
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