In conversation with BBC Breakfast, Rayner said: “I don’t think that rent freezes, rent controls, is a way forward at the moment.” 

Rayner cited measures in the Renters’ Rights Act and possible unintended consequences. 

In response to Rayner’s comments, Holly Williamson, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Homes are the foundations of our lives. The Renters’ Rights Act was a vital first step in addressing the power imbalance between tenants and landlords, but it does not go far enough to address the cost of rents.

“High rents lock people in poverty, and mean children going to school hungry and families stuck living in temporary accommodation. 

“A limit on rent increases would be a hugely impactful cost of living measure that places very little strain on Treasury budgets.”

Williamson added: “On behalf of renters across England, I am very disappointed Angela Rayner is not considering it as part of the government’s cost of living focus, and we urge ministers to review the evidence as they develop their plans to tackle the affordability crisis.”

The announcement arrived a day after the campaign group released the ‘Cost of Renting Receipt.’ According to Generation Rent’s analysis, if the cost of everyday groceries had increased at the same rate as private rents since 1988 - which was the last time England had a system of rent control - a standard 10 item shop from a supermarket would amount to over fivefold what it is now. 

The average monthly rent in England is £1442, which is thirteen times higher now than it was in 1988 (£111). 

The campaign group is urging Andy Burnham’s government to urgently bring in a limit on how much landlords can hike the rent, capped to the lower of Consumer Price Inflation or wage growth.