Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on the continued exemption of local authorities that have established an objectively-assessed need for more office accommodation through their local plan, and demonstrated a low level of vacancy in the office market, from proposed planning changes to allow offices to be converted to housing; and if he will make a statement.

My Department published a consultation paper on this issue on 31 July. We will publish the Government’s response in due course.