Thousands of households in Stockport rely on the private rented sector, yet for many, renting has become a source of constant financial and emotional strain. Rising rents mean people locally are spending a growing share of their income on housing, and when combined with the threat of eviction through so-called no-fault notices, many tenants feel unable to put down roots or plan for the future.
New Renters' Rights Act
That is why the new Renters' Rights Act, coming into force on May 1 2026, is such an important milestone. These changes are designed to make renting fairer, safer and more secure for tenants and their families who rent from private landlords.
Major protections include the end of Section 21 no-fault evictions and replacing fixed-term tenancies with rolling agreements. If you already rent privately, your tenancy will automatically move to a rolling agreement from May 1. Landlords will need a valid, legal reason to evict, rent rises will be limited to once a year, and tenants will have stronger rights to challenge unfair increases.
For anyone looking to rent after May 1, landlords will have to advertise a clear, upfront rent and will no longer be allowed to push prospective tenants into offering more. A written tenancy agreement must be provided before moving in, and landlords will usually only be able to ask for one month's rent in advance. These changes mark a real step forward toward a fairer private rental system in Stockport and Britain.
If you are a tenant who has any questions about these changes, or receive notice from your landlord, it is important to check your rights and seek advice early. Organisations such as Shelter, Tenants Advice or the Greater Manchester Tenants Union may be able to provide support.
Funding for Stockport College
I always enjoy my visits to Stockport College. It does a fantastic job supporting young people and adult learners, helping them gain skills and confidence to succeed in life. The college plays a really important role in our community, so I am pleased to have worked with the Labour Government to secure £2.5 million for the Trafford and Stockport College Group as part of the £307 million programme to repair and modernise colleges across England.
After years of austerity, Stockport College will receive a share of this funding that will go towards practical improvements like fixing leaky roofs, replacing broken windows, and upgrading heating systems. The college will decide how best to spend the money, ensuring it goes where it is needed most. These improvements should make a real difference day to day, creating more comfortable, reliable spaces where students can focus on learning.
Concerns Over IVF Funding
I have now written to NHS England and the Health Secretary about the disappointing decision to reduce NHS-funded IVF in Greater Manchester to one full cycle. I believe this represents a levelling down of standards, rather than a genuine attempt to make provision consistent across Greater Manchester. Residents are particularly concerned that this decision appears to ignore the outcome of the consultation, which overwhelmingly opposed reducing funding. By sidelining public opinion, the decision risks deepening health inequalities and creating a two-tier system where access to IVF increasingly depends on the ability to pay.
As always, if you would like to raise anything with me, you can contact me by phone, email or letter and my town centre office is open weekdays from 10am to 3.30pm. You can find my details online.
