Housing and Planning Bill

Gareth Thomas Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend has made a good point. That is one reason why the strictures of legislation do not work in this context, and why it is important that we complete the consultation—which runs until 18 May in order to receive all the feedback and deal with this matter in regulations. As the discount is proportional, the difference in values will be dealt with by the way in which the percentages will work.

[Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Minister will recall that at the end of last year, in Committee, there were a number of exchanges about housing co-operatives. As a result of changes in the Bill, housing co-ops that own properties are largely exempt from many of its provisions, whereas those that manage properties on behalf of local authorities will still be badly hit by many of the provisions. Potentially, housing co-op properties will be among the 100,000-plus properties currently owned by councils that are likely to be lost as a result of the Bill.

Might the Minister be willing to make a commitment, before the Bill returns to the other place, to look again at the specific impact on co-ops that manage properties on behalf of councils?

[Brandon Lewis]

I shall say a little about the provision concerned in a moment, but we will be very clear about the fact that a new home will be built for every home sold.