Council chiefs have welcomed the ban on evictions for a further two months.

The Government has confirmed the suspension of evictions from social or private rented accommodation will be in place until 23 August.

Ministers are also working on new court rules to ensure vulnerable renters will be protected from eviction when the suspension ends.

Housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: 'Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no-one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.

We are also working with the judiciary on proposals to ensure that when evictions proceedings do recommence, arrangements, including rules, are in place to assist the court in giving appropriate protections for those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus – including those tenants who have been shielding.'

The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed the announcement, saying councils have been working closely with tenants who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Cllr David Renard, housing spokesman at the LGA, said: 'The continuation of these measures will help to mitigate against the rising homelessness pressures that councils are under as a result of the pandemic.

'We would like to see the Government follow this by bringing forward its pledge to end ‘no fault evictions’ and committing to maintaining local housing allowance rates at the lowest third of market rents so that tenants have greater security and households can meet their housing costs.'