Written questions by Morton.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 27 January 2026 on Commonhold and leasehold reform, HCWS1278, what exemptions his Department is considering to the proposed ban on new leasehold flats; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ban on (a) housing supply, (b) development viability and (c) build-to-rent schemes; whether he has had discussions with (i) institutional investors and (ii) SME builders on the proposed ban; and what steps he is planning to take to prevent the policy reducing (A) flat construction and (B) increasing prices.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the ‘Moving to commonhold: banning leasehold for new flats’ consultation launched on 27 January 2026. It is available on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 24 April 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what written correspondence he has had with Birmingham City Council on proposed settlements to end the waste strike.

The ongoing waste dispute is damaging for the residents and reputation of the great city of Birmingham. We take the progress made across Birmingham City Council extremely seriously. A successful and prospering Birmingham is a high priority for this government, and the department regularly meets both the Council and Commissioners, alongside receiving regular updates on progress, including on the waste dispute and contingency arrangements. During the acute phase of the waste dispute last year, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city was safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. In relation to advice received on the waste dispute, internal government advice will not be published, in line with normal practice and convention. Any allegation of bullying or harassment is a matter for the employer to deal with in the first instance. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are a local issue. The government is not a party in the dispute and does not hold information about the allegations of bullying or harassment.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish advice he has received from commissioners and officials on the Birmingham waste dispute.

The ongoing waste dispute is damaging for the residents and reputation of the great city of Birmingham. We take the progress made across Birmingham City Council extremely seriously. A successful and prospering Birmingham is a high priority for this government, and the department regularly meets both the Council and Commissioners, alongside receiving regular updates on progress, including on the waste dispute and contingency arrangements. During the acute phase of the waste dispute last year, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city was safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. In relation to advice received on the waste dispute, internal government advice will not be published, in line with normal practice and convention. Any allegation of bullying or harassment is a matter for the employer to deal with in the first instance. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are a local issue. The government is not a party in the dispute and does not hold information about the allegations of bullying or harassment.

Communities and Local Government, in reference to HCWS1286 made of 26 January 2026 on Resetting the S106 system, what estimate he has made of the number of affordable homes that could be converted to private sale or market rent through the proposed time-limited tenure renegotiations; and what safeguards will be in place to ensure there is no net loss of social and affordable housing at the local authority level.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1286).

Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken in response to commissioners’ concerns over the impact of the waste dispute in Birmingham on council capacity.

Commissioners were appointed in October 2023 to provide oversight and support the Council on their wider improvement journey. The Secretary of State receives regular six-monthly reports from Commissioners outlining the progress made by the Council in complying with the Best Value Duty and the Department regularly engages with Commissioners as is normal for all interventions. The Commissioners’ third report was published on gov.uk on 1 December 2025 alongside a Written Ministerial Statement. Throughout the dispute, this government’s priority has been the residents of Birmingham. During the acute phase of the waste dispute in the spring, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city can be safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. The government remains in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation and the associated impact of the bin strike on local communities. We cannot allow a return to the levels of disruption seen last spring. The Council are moving towards financial sustainability, and they have recently announced proposals for a balanced revenue budget in 2026/27 without Exceptional Financial Support. This is possible because of the government’s funding reforms – which will increase Birmingham’s Core Spending Power by 45% from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Communities and Local Government, how frequently Government-appointed commissioners at Birmingham City Council report to Ministers on the impact of the waste dispute on the improvement of that council.

Commissioners were appointed in October 2023 to provide oversight and support the Council on their wider improvement journey. The Secretary of State receives regular six-monthly reports from Commissioners outlining the progress made by the Council in complying with the Best Value Duty and the Department regularly engages with Commissioners as is normal for all interventions. The Commissioners’ third report was published on gov.uk on 1 December 2025 alongside a Written Ministerial Statement. Throughout the dispute, this government’s priority has been the residents of Birmingham. During the acute phase of the waste dispute in the spring, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city can be safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. The government remains in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation and the associated impact of the bin strike on local communities. We cannot allow a return to the levels of disruption seen last spring. The Council are moving towards financial sustainability, and they have recently announced proposals for a balanced revenue budget in 2026/27 without Exceptional Financial Support. This is possible because of the government’s funding reforms – which will increase Birmingham’s Core Spending Power by 45% from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of prolonged disruption to waste collection services in Birmingham on public health.

Commissioners were appointed in October 2023 to provide oversight and support the Council on their wider improvement journey. The Secretary of State receives regular six-monthly reports from Commissioners outlining the progress made by the Council in complying with the Best Value Duty and the Department regularly engages with Commissioners as is normal for all interventions. The Commissioners’ third report was published on gov.uk on 1 December 2025 alongside a Written Ministerial Statement. Throughout the dispute, this government’s priority has been the residents of Birmingham. During the acute phase of the waste dispute in the spring, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city can be safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. The government remains in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation and the associated impact of the bin strike on local communities. We cannot allow a return to the levels of disruption seen last spring. The Council are moving towards financial sustainability, and they have recently announced proposals for a balanced revenue budget in 2026/27 without Exceptional Financial Support. This is possible because of the government’s funding reforms – which will increase Birmingham’s Core Spending Power by 45% from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on allegations of bullying and harassment made by agency waste workers in Birmingham.

The ongoing waste dispute is damaging for the residents and reputation of the great city of Birmingham. We take the progress made across Birmingham City Council extremely seriously. A successful and prospering Birmingham is a high priority for this government, and the department regularly meets both the Council and Commissioners, alongside receiving regular updates on progress, including on the waste dispute and contingency arrangements. During the acute phase of the waste dispute last year, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city was safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. In relation to advice received on the waste dispute, internal government advice will not be published, in line with normal practice and convention. Any allegation of bullying or harassment is a matter for the employer to deal with in the first instance. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are a local issue. The government is not a party in the dispute and does not hold information about the allegations of bullying or harassment.

Communities and Local Government, in reference to HCWS1286 on Resetting the S106 system, whether financial payments made in lieu of onsite affordable housing will be required to remain within the originating local authority area.

The government expects that wherever financial payments are accepted in lieu of onsite affordable housing, they will remain within the originating local authority area.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment the Government-appointed commissioners have made of the potential impact of the waste strike on Birmingham City Council’s financial sustainability.

Commissioners were appointed in October 2023 to provide oversight and support the Council on their wider improvement journey. The Secretary of State receives regular six-monthly reports from Commissioners outlining the progress made by the Council in complying with the Best Value Duty and the Department regularly engages with Commissioners as is normal for all interventions. The Commissioners’ third report was published on gov.uk on 1 December 2025 alongside a Written Ministerial Statement. Throughout the dispute, this government’s priority has been the residents of Birmingham. During the acute phase of the waste dispute in the spring, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city can be safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. The government remains in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation and the associated impact of the bin strike on local communities. We cannot allow a return to the levels of disruption seen last spring. The Council are moving towards financial sustainability, and they have recently announced proposals for a balanced revenue budget in 2026/27 without Exceptional Financial Support. This is possible because of the government’s funding reforms – which will increase Birmingham’s Core Spending Power by 45% from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1278 of 27 January 2026 on commonhold and leasehold reform, what assessment the Department has made of why commonhold has not gained traction since 2004; what targets have been set for commonhold take-up over the next five and ten years; what engagement has taken place with mortgage lenders, developers and conveyancers to ensure market readiness; and what mechanisms will be used to monitor adoption and prevent disruption to housing delivery.

The Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 set out both the legal and market barriers to the widespread adoption of the original commonhold system, as well as the government’s approach to resolving these.On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which will reinvigorate commonhold through a comprehensive new legal framework, make it easier for leaseholders to convert their homes to commonhold and ensure commonhold becomes the default tenure by banning new leasehold flats. No numerical targets for the take-up of commonhold have been set.Alongside the publication of the draft Bill, we launched a consultation ‘Moving to Commonhold’ on banning new leasehold flats, where we are seeking views from industry and consumers on key issues including the timing of the ban, any necessary exemptions, and the transitional arrangements needed to minimise disruption to delivery of new housing supply. The consultation also invites specific feedback on questions of market readiness, and we would encourage all of those operating across the housing market to take part. As part of our commitment to ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of the government’s leasehold and commonhold reforms, we will publish the evaluation findings in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with Birmingham City Council on contingency arrangements to mitigate the impact of the waste strike on residents.

The ongoing waste dispute is damaging for the residents and reputation of the great city of Birmingham. We take the progress made across Birmingham City Council extremely seriously. A successful and prospering Birmingham is a high priority for this government, and the department regularly meets both the Council and Commissioners, alongside receiving regular updates on progress, including on the waste dispute and contingency arrangements. During the acute phase of the waste dispute last year, the government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city was safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action. In relation to advice received on the waste dispute, internal government advice will not be published, in line with normal practice and convention. Any allegation of bullying or harassment is a matter for the employer to deal with in the first instance. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are a local issue. The government is not a party in the dispute and does not hold information about the allegations of bullying or harassment.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to HCWS1286 on Resetting the S106 system, what consultation she will undertake with local authorities prior to implementing the planned Spring 2026 reforms.

My Department will continue to engage with all relevant parts of the sector as we develop measures designed to ‘reset’ the S106 market and support the effective S106 delivery of social and affordable homes, including local authorities.

Communities and Local Government, what advice he has received from departmental officials on whether he has the power to (a) facilitate and (b) require talks between Birmingham City Council and trade unions to resolve the current waste collection dispute.

The Secretary of State has powers set out in the Local Government Act 1999 to direct councils to take specific action he considers necessary or expedient to secure compliance with the Best Value Duty. This is a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. To use such powers, the Secretary of State needs to be satisfied that the council is failing its Best Value Duty. These powers were used to establish the ongoing intervention at Birmingham City Council, whereby directions were given to the Council and Commissioners, as set in the Directions published on GOV.UK, to support the Council’s recovery and improvement journey. Commissioners have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment which they can use according to their expert judgement and discretion. The department engages regularly with Birmingham City Council and Commissioners, as is normal for all Councils under intervention, and continues to monitor the disruption caused by the bin strikes and the associated impact to the residents of the city. The waste dispute is a local issue and is rightly being dealt with by the Council. The Government has no formal role in negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to use existing powers to bring the parties involved in the Birmingham waste dispute together for negotiations.

The Secretary of State has powers set out in the Local Government Act 1999 to direct councils to take specific action he considers necessary or expedient to secure compliance with the Best Value Duty. This is a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. To use such powers, the Secretary of State needs to be satisfied that the council is failing its Best Value Duty. These powers were used to establish the ongoing intervention at Birmingham City Council, whereby directions were given to the Council and Commissioners, as set in the Directions published on GOV.UK, to support the Council’s recovery and improvement journey. Commissioners have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment which they can use according to their expert judgement and discretion. The department engages regularly with Birmingham City Council and Commissioners, as is normal for all Councils under intervention, and continues to monitor the disruption caused by the bin strikes and the associated impact to the residents of the city. The waste dispute is a local issue and is rightly being dealt with by the Council. The Government has no formal role in negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has sought legal advice on the ability to intervene directly to help resolve the industrial dispute affecting waste services in Birmingham.

The Secretary of State has powers set out in the Local Government Act 1999 to direct councils to take specific action he considers necessary or expedient to secure compliance with the Best Value Duty. This is a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. To use such powers, the Secretary of State needs to be satisfied that the council is failing its Best Value Duty. These powers were used to establish the ongoing intervention at Birmingham City Council, whereby directions were given to the Council and Commissioners, as set in the Directions published on GOV.UK, to support the Council’s recovery and improvement journey. Commissioners have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment which they can use according to their expert judgement and discretion. The department engages regularly with Birmingham City Council and Commissioners, as is normal for all Councils under intervention, and continues to monitor the disruption caused by the bin strikes and the associated impact to the residents of the city. The waste dispute is a local issue and is rightly being dealt with by the Council. The Government has no formal role in negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is able to take to convene discussions between Birmingham City Council, its commissioners and recognised trade unions during ongoing industrial disputes.

The Secretary of State has powers set out in the Local Government Act 1999 to direct councils to take specific action he considers necessary or expedient to secure compliance with the Best Value Duty. This is a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. To use such powers, the Secretary of State needs to be satisfied that the council is failing its Best Value Duty. These powers were used to establish the ongoing intervention at Birmingham City Council, whereby directions were given to the Council and Commissioners, as set in the Directions published on GOV.UK, to support the Council’s recovery and improvement journey. Commissioners have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment which they can use according to their expert judgement and discretion. The department engages regularly with Birmingham City Council and Commissioners, as is normal for all Councils under intervention, and continues to monitor the disruption caused by the bin strikes and the associated impact to the residents of the city. The waste dispute is a local issue and is rightly being dealt with by the Council. The Government has no formal role in negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, what recent progress his Department has made in delivering 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament.

I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 19066 on 20 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the level of regulation of rented homes on landlords.

The Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Act can be found here. The government’s policy statement, impact assessment, and response to the Decent Homes Standard consultation can be found on gov.uk here. The government’s response to the 2025 consultation on Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes in England and Wales, along with the accompanying impact assessment, can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to proposals to modernise planning committees and introduce a national scheme of delegation, whether applications affecting green belt land could be determined by officers rather than elected members; what criteria will determine whether such applications are considered strategic; and how he will ensure democratic accountability for decisions involving the loss of green space.

On 28 May 2025, my Department published a technical consultation on proposals for reform of planning committees. It can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation has now closed, and we are analysing the responses with a view to consulting on draft regulations for such a National Scheme of Delegation in the coming months.