Asked by: Leigh Ingham (Labour - Stafford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of accumulation of UK residential property by foreign investors; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the accumulation of residential property by foreign investors on the property market for UK buyers.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Department has not conducted a specific assessment of trends in the level of residential property ownership by foreign investors in the UK.
Data on property ownership by overseas companies in England and Wales is published by HM Land Registry and is publicly available via the GOV.UK website.
We recognise concerns about the impact of overseas investment on housing affordability, particularly for first-time buyers. In response, and as part of this government’s commitment to supporting first-time buyers, we have introduced fiscal measures to level the playing field.
Non-UK residents already pay a 2% surcharge on top of the residential rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when purchasing a dwelling in England or Northern Ireland.
In addition, at the Autumn Budget 2024, the government increased the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. The higher rates are also paid by non-UK residents purchasing additional property.
Increasing the higher rates of SDLT helps to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords and companies purchasing residential property.
Asked by: Leigh Ingham (Labour - Stafford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of working with private sector organisations to expand rent-to-buy schemes to support first-time buyers.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Rent to Buy is funded through the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021 to 2026.
To own and manage rent to Buy homes funded through the AHP an organisation must be a Registered Provider with the Regulator of Social Housing.
Some private sector organisations also offer rent-to-buy schemes funded by other means. The government has not made any assessment of such schemes.
Asked by: Leigh Ingham (Labour - Stafford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State fir Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of property aggregation by wealth funds on the affordability of housing.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regularly engages with other government departments on matters relating to housing affordability.
Asked by: Leigh Ingham (Labour - Stafford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of people being required to pay full council tax after vacating properties due to flooding.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government does not collect data on the council tax paid by all homes which are empty due to flooding. However, where a property is assessed as uninhabitable it may be removed from the council tax list, making it no longer liable for council tax. Councils also have the power to provide discretionary council tax discounts where they consider this appropriate. In exceptional circumstances the government may activate the flood recovery framework, requesting councils to provide a 100% council tax discount for affected homes.
Asked by: Leigh Ingham (Labour - Stafford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the inclusivity of public parks for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is firmly committed to creating better access to public parks. They are an essential part of local social infrastructure which supports more connected, stronger communities.
Local authorities must consider their obligations under the Equalities Act of 2010 when providing public spaces, this includes ensuring that they are accessible and inclusive. Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places. The government is committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for all disabled people and putting their voices at the heart of what we do.