WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has welcomed the new agenda from the Government as set out in the King’s Speech and the benefits it will bring to people across Warrington South – in particular new measures to tackle leasehold issues.
He says that for far too long governments of all colours have taken short-term decisions, instead of focusing on the right long-term decisions that will safeguard the future prosperity of our country.
At the heart of the Speech were plans to support the economy by introducing Bills that protect energy security, secure the benefits of Brexit, and ensure the right framework is in place for tech firms to compete and grow in the UK. There’s also a major focus on promoting national interests by backing the Armed Forces, supporting Ukraine and leading the way on the challenges of the future: climate change and AI.
Mr Carter has particularly welcomed steps announced to help Leaseholders in areas like Chapelford, Great Sankey and Latchford, who will benefit from plans to reform the UK housing market. Warrington has some of the highest numbers of new leasehold properties in England.
Under the plans, a new Leasehold and Freehold Bill will deliver on a manifesto commitment to improve leaseholders’ rights, making it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold as well as increasing the standard lease extension term from 90 to 990 years.
The Government will also consult on capping all ground rents, ensuring all leaseholders are protected from making payments that require no service or benefit in return, have no requirement to be reasonable, and can cause issues when people want to sell their properties. Subject to that consultation, the Government will look to introduce a cap through this Bill.
These leasehold reforms build on the Government’s record of delivering fairer rules for leaseholders including the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 which protects people buying new properties from exorbitant ground rents.
Mr Carter has also welcomed other measures including the Sentencing Bill, which will keep rapists and other serious sexual offenders behind bars for the whole of their custodial terms and make Whole Life Orders available for murderers who kill with sexual or sadistic conduct, so life really will mean life. And for offenders who would have served fewer than twelve months in prison, judges will have the discretion to suspend their custodial sentences in favour of suspended sentences with tough conditions, which have a much lower reoffending rate, meaning less crime and more offenders on the straight and narrow. These offenders will repay their debts to society in the communities they damaged, delivering swift and visible justice that directly benefits our communities.
Mr Carter said: “I got into politics to improve the lives of people living in Warrington South for the better. To do that we have to deliver long-term solutions to the problems families and business face.
“We can only deliver a fairer housing market for all by taking the long-term decisions needed, not focusing on short-term political games. I’ve offered to work with all parties to bring about the changes needed with leasehold, plugging away, speaking up for the interests of leaseholders and this is now paying off.
“I welcome the Government’s decision to introduce the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill as we continue to improve leaseholder rights across Warrington South, creating a fairer market for everyone.
“This King’s Speech proved the Prime Minister is listening and is committed to long-term housing reform as we focus on delivering the long-term decisions needed for a brighter future.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: “Today marked the first King’s Speech in over seventy years, bringing forward our plan to build a better future for the next seventy.
“Just as I have done with energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech takes the long-term decisions to address the challenges this country faces, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks.
