Debates between Neil O'Brien and Lee Rowley during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Neil O'Brien and Lee Rowley
Monday 4th March 2024

(9 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Neil O'Brien Portrait Neil O’Brien (Harborough) (Con)
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The Government are to be commended for taking through the first leasehold reforms for 20 years, but as the Bill now goes to the Lords, will Ministers go further and agree: first, to empower the 3 million to 4 million people trapped on fleecehold estates; and, secondly, to fundamentally end this scammy, dodgy, corrupt model once and for all?

Lee Rowley Portrait The Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety (Lee Rowley)
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My hon. Friend makes an important point about making sure that we strike the right balance. We have brought forward significant reforms in the Bill, but I am happy to continue to talk to him and other Members who are interested. The Government continue to look at what more can be done.

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Debate between Neil O'Brien and Lee Rowley
Lee Rowley Portrait Lee Rowley
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My hon. Friend has been a campaigner for many years on the importance of this matter, and I know how strongly he feels and how much he acts on it on behalf of his constituents. We are absolutely committed to making progress on estate management. The Bill demonstrates a significant step forward in doing that, and we will see what else we can do in the future.

Lee Rowley Portrait Lee Rowley
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I am going to wind up so as to give others the opportunity to speak. To sum up, property ownership has been described as one of the bulwarks of individual freedom, and the measures I have described today are designed to give all homeowners, particularly the younger generation, the chance to gain a proper stake in our democracy. The Bill seeks to bring greater fairness, transparency and accountability to the system, and to give millions of people across the country a more secure foundation to get on in life, a stronger stake in our society and a solid platform for the future. I am grateful for all Members’ efforts to improve the Bill and for the scrutiny and debate it has received so far, and I look forward to hearing the further discussions to that effect this afternoon.