Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformWe are absolutely committed to strengthening regulation of managing agents. Some proposals on charges were set out in the consultation on protections for leaseholders, which we…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformMy hon. Friend is right: there will always be vested interests that resist reform of the nature that we are trying to take forward, just as there will always be naysayers out…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI can feel the glare of my private office as I agree to meetings across the House, but I am happy to do so. The matters that the hon. Lady addresses are in the consultation we…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI have made it clear to the House that we have already set out proposals to strengthen the regulation of managing agents. Those proposals are not the summit of our ambitions;…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI always thank the hon. Member for his constructive contributions. As he knows, England and Wales can learn lots from Northern Ireland, but, as ever—particularly in relation to…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI think that leaseholds will exist for some time to come. Indeed, people in various buildings may not, for whatever reason, wish to convert to commonhold, but it is absolutely our…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformWe launched two comprehensive consultations before Christmas, in respect of how we switch on the consumer protections set out in the 2024 Act for those living on freehold estates…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI have a lot of respect for the hon. Gentleman and his service on the Select Committee. He has a lot of expertise in this area. I would say two things in response. First, we…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformWe did see a considerable amount of deregulation under the coalition Government and their successors. I will give the previous Government credit, as I have done before, for…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI thank my right hon. Friend for her kind words. She was an incredible champion of the reform agenda for this legislation when she served as Secretary of State. She raises the…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformIt is clear that this draft Bill cannot do absolutely everything, and it is the Government’s considered opinion that we do not need provisions on service charges in this Bill—not…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformMy Department always strives to ensure that the House is updated at the earliest possible opportunity. I note and appreciate fully the points you have made, Mr Speaker, and will…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI thank my hon. Friend for his kind words on my role in developing the draft Bill. I can say to him very plainly: yes. If he looks at the consultation on service charge…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI am more than happy to write to my hon. Friend about the issue of shared ownership specifically. She will know that through our £39 billion social and affordable homes programme,…27 Jan 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold ReformI note the initial positive tone from the shadow Minister in welcoming the draft Bill. I am slightly reluctant, on what is usually a matter of cross-party consensus, to be too…27 Jan 2026HANSARDNew TownsI will come on to talk about financing in more detail, in particular the options that we are considering, but I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman will, again, have to wait for the…15 Jan 2026HANSARDNew TownsIt is a pleasure to close this debate for the Government. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch (Katrina Murray) and thank her for securing…15 Jan 2026HANSARDNew TownsMy hon. Friend made the same points when I appeared before the Select Committee earlier this week. I have taken them on board and I am happy to look at what the Department can do…15 Jan 2026HANSARDChinese EmbassyI thank the shadow Minister for her questions. I am obviously not going to comment on speculation in the press. On the specific case before Ministers, at the application stage it…13 Jan 2026HANSARDChinese EmbassyI want to be very clear about what information the Department had and when it had it. As I said, an independent inquiry into this matter was held by an independent planning…13 Jan 2026