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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to (a) regenerate town centres and (b) reduce the number of derelict properties.

This government is committed to rejuvenating our town centres. On 4 March, we launched the Plan for Neighbourhoods, the government's flagship programme, a £1.5 billion investment to help revitalise local areas and fight deprivation in 75 places across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. We have also launched High Street Rental Auctions; powers which allow local authorities in England to auction the lease of persistently vacant commercial properties. On 6 March we announced the names of a further 8 early adopter councils, 11 in total, which will champion the new powers to give others confidence to revive their high streets.