Written questions by Morton.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 28 January 2026 on Resetting the S106 system, whether his Department plans to monitor disparities between authorities in renegotiation outcomes; and if he will publish comparative data on affordable housing retained versus lost following S106 variations.

My Department will closely monitor data relating to the time-limited process in question.We have no current plans to collate re-negotiated S106 agreements and publish comparative data.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, when he plans to bring forward remedial legislation; when enfranchisement provisions will be commenced; what consultation will take place on valuation rates for enfranchisement premiums; and what assessment has been made of the potential financial impact of revised valuation methodology on leaseholders and freeholders.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103549 on 14 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, how many freehold homeowners are estimated to be affected by estate rent charges; what transitional protections will apply following repeal of enforcement powers; how communal estate maintenance will continue to be funded; what rights homeowners will have to challenge unreasonable charges; and what measures will be introduced to prevent future abuse of estate management arrangements.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of capping ground rents at £250 per year on the economy; what estimate he has made of the number of affected leaseholders; what assessment has been made of the potential impact of this policy on freeholders, pension funds and investor confidence; and whether any compensation or mitigation measures are under consideration.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to the policy statement on ground rents published on the same date which is available on gov.uk here. An Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Bill will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement entitled Resetting the S106 system, HCWS1286, published on 28 January 2026, whether additional legal, valuation, and planning resources will be made available to local planning authorities.

The Planning and Infrastructure Act includes powers that allow the Secretary of State to delegate planning fee-setting to local planning authorities, enabling them to recover costs and reinvest to provide a more efficient and responsive planning service, including in respect of making timelier decisions. At the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chanceller announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system as a one-year settlement for 2025-2026. At the Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor announced a further £48 million of investment over three years to support local planning authorities to attract, retain and develop skilled planners over a sustained period. Of this, £28.8 million has been allocated to MHCLG’s Planning Capacity and Capability Programme, equating to £9.6 million additional per year for the next three years. This allocation will supplement existing budgets. In total, the Programme now aims to deliver around 1,325 planners by the end of this Parliament, significantly exceeding our original manifesto commitment to deliver 300 new planning officers. Wider cross-government recruitment and investment in planning capacity and capability will increase this figure further to approximately 1,400 planners. The new funding will support both graduate and mid-career entry routes into planning, including by means of expanding the Pathways to Planning Graduate Scheme and establishing a Planning Careers Hub.

Communities and Local Government, 2ith reference to the written statement of 27 January 2026 on Commonhold and leasehold reform, HCWS1278, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the commonhold conversion threshold to 50% of qualifying leaseholders; what steps he is planning to take to help support minority leaseholders who oppose conversion; what steps he is planning to take to protect lenders' security interests; what estimate he has made of the number of blocks that will convert in the first five years; and what guidance his Department will issue to leaseholders on (a) conversion costs and (b) dispute resolution.

To ensure that commonhold is viable for existing buildings as well as new developments, the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill includes provisions to make conversion to commonhold from leasehold more accessible. An Impact Assessment for the draft Bill will be published in due course.

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, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, what enforcement framework will replace leasehold forfeiture; how landlords and managing agents will recover legitimate arrears under the new regime; what assessment has been made of the potential risk of increased non-payment or moral hazard; what assessment has been made of the potential impact of these policies on tribunal and court caseloads; and whether he plans to take steps to help ensure building finances remain sustainable.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill includes provisions that abolish the right to forfeit a long residential lease for breach of covenant and introduce a new statutory lease enforcement scheme. An Impact Assessment for the draft Bill will be published in due course.

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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.