Business of the House

Ashley Fox Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an important question, and I thank her for her work in advocating on this important matter. We are implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to strengthen protections over charges and services, and we will publish the draft leasehold and commonhold reform Bill as soon as possible. These concerns are shared by many colleagues from across the House, so I am sure that she would find support if she sought an Adjournment debate on the subject, or even a Backbench Business debate. When we bring forward further measures, she will have time to amplify the concerns that she has raised.

[Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)]

May I agree with the point raised by the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Rachel Blake)? In the village of Cossington, there is a small housing estate that had the misfortune to be managed by FirstPort. My residents had to put up with unexplained charges, poor service and a complete lack of transparency. While my residents have wisely changed to a new management company, the incompetence of FirstPort continues to afflict them. Despite repeated requests, including from my office, FirstPort has failed to provide the financial information required to allow my residents to complete their statutory accounts. May I ask the Leader of the House for an urgent statement on how the Government will enable residents to hold failing management companies to account?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I hope that FirstPort hears what the hon. Gentleman has said, but my understanding, which I hope is correct, is that Ministers have brought in FirstPort to discuss these matters and get its game in order. If he wishes to seek a meeting with a Minister, I will try to facilitate that.