Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 July 2026
Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 10 July 2026 concerning the Government's response to the Committee's report on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
From: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Inquiry: Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
Summary
Minister Matthew Pennycook informs the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee that the government cannot meet its 27 July deadline to respond to the Committee's pre-legislative scrutiny report on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, citing the Prime Minister's resignation on 22 June and constraints on policy commitments during the transition period. He commits to providing a substantive response after the summer recess.
Key findings
- Government unable to issue formal response to Committee's report by 27 July deadline due to Prime Minister's resignation and associated policy constraints
- Government remains committed to providing relief to leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates affected by unfair practices
- Response will be issued by incoming administration after summer recess, with substantive Bill expected to follow
- Minister thanks Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and notes recent Backbench Business debate facilitated discussion across the House
Government position
The government does not formally respond to the Committee's recommendations in this letter, instead requesting a deadline extension. It reaffirms commitment to manifesto commitments on leasehold reform and pledges substantive response after the leadership transition, but cannot issue policy positions or respond to specific recommendations before the summer recess.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Matthew Pennycook MP, Florence Eshalomi MP, Prime Minister, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Notable line
“… the government remains acutely aware of the need to act urgently to provide relief to leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates currently suffering as …”
Key Quotes
“… as a result of the announcement made by the Prime Minister on 22 June that he was resigning as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, and the associated constraints on government business in the period ahead of the summer recess, including the prohibition on initiating new policy commitments, my Department will regrettably be unable to issue a response to the Committee's report before its deadline of 27 July”
“… the government remains acutely aware of the need to act urgently to provide relief to leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates currently suffering as a result of unfair and unreasonable practices”
“While the precise date that a substantive response will be issued will be a decision for the new administration, it is my sincere hope that it will be provided soon after the House returns from the summer recess with a substantive Bill introduced to Parliament soon after”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗