Business of the House

Emma Foody Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in commending the pupils, and indeed the staff, of Oakwood primary school for their thoughtful contributions. The Government are committed to tackling child poverty, which is why we are scrapping the two-child limit and expanding free school meals and breakfast clubs, and we will do even more. The empathy of these students is truly commendable, and I thank them for everything they are doing.

[Emma Foody (Cramlington and Killingworth) (Lab/Co-op)]

I have been supporting a local leaseholder who lives in a bungalow in Cramlington because Shenstone, the management company, has recently charged her £525 for a property extension. Hon. Members might think that that was nothing unusual—except that the extension was built 30 years ago, before she even lived in the property. That has been pointed out to Shenstone, but it is still insisting that my elderly resident pay up. Can the Leader of the House assure me that this Government will continue at pace with the changes to address these outrageous practices, and does he agree that these sorts of behaviour by companies like Shenstone are exactly why we need to tackle the leasehold crisis?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely agree, and I am sorry to hear of that case. Our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill will end the feudal leasehold system, and we are committed to strengthening protections for leaseholders. The measures we have brought forward are not the final steps that we intend to take on the regulation of managing agents; we will set out further details in due course.