Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's report entitled Leasehold reform, Twelfth Report of Session 2017-19, HC 1468, what steps his Department has taken in response to the recommendation set out in paragraph 201 of that report.

In 2018 the Government conducted an internal review of the support and advice to leaseholders provided through the Leasehold Advisory Service. The review concluded there is a need to maintain the delivery of free, initial, independent advice, and a need to clarify and strengthen the aims and objectives of the organisation so it is clear what this advice should achieve and for whom it is designed.

It also concluded that the Leasehold Advisory Service should concentrate resources on improving the provision of advice and support to leaseholders, including minimum standards regarding the quality of advice.

The Government continues to work closely with the interim chair and her team on a programme to improve and strengthen the Leasehold Advisory Service, and to consider the advice and support needs of leaseholders in the longer term.