A relatively quiet recess has been enlivened by a government resignation. Rushanara Ali quit as Homelessness Minister after accusations of hypocrisy by the i newspaper over how she handled rent increases on a house she owns in east London. Ali ended her tenants’ fixed term contract to sell up but then re-listed the house for rent at a higher price within six months, which is something she is currently trying to outlaw under the Renters’ Rights Bill. She had already lost part of her brief after attending an event linked to the parent company of a firm criticised by the Grenfell inquiry.

The Labour MP’s resignation came in an exchange of letters with the Prime Minister. She insisted that ‘at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements’ – something which ignores the fact that

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