When challenged by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn about the government’s lack of protection for renters during the coronavirus outbreak Johnson said the government would protect private renters from eviction.

The move follows yesterday’s announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak of a £350bn package to support businesses through the pandemic.

The move has been welcomed by ARLA Propertymark CEO David Cox who said the government could not “pass on the problem”.

He said: “We agree that the government must do “whatever it takes” to safeguard tenants in these unprecedented times.

“We of course have to support tenants as they face uncertainty over the coming months, while as the Prime Minister has said, ensuring we don’t simply pass on the problem to other actors in the economy.”