Michael Gove's efforts to reform England's leasehold system have hit a significant roadblock as key proposals, including reducing all ground rents to a peppercorn rent, were axed by No10/Treasury. This move has sparked criticism from various quarters, accusing the government of dithering and betraying leaseholders. Critics argue leaseholders are being ripped off and that the government is reneging on its 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto promise to restrict ground rents to a peppercorn. Labour MPs and the Guardian accuse the government of succumbing to vested interests, including pension funds, and call for a Labour Government to abolish the leasehold system. The controversy underscores tensions within the Conservative Party and raises questions about the government's commitment to leasehold reform and Sunak's decision-making.
Tories accused of ditching manifesto pledge to remove ground rents https://t.co/rfHxrVSGo8
Sunak’s decision to side with the pension funds who invested in this evil practice rather than with their victims tells you all you need to know. Only a Labour Government will abolish this feudal system of Leasehold. https://t.co/0ziwaUngse
Michael Gove is fighting to salvage his flagship reforms of England’s leasehold system after a major proposal was quietly axed by the Treasury and Downing Street ⬇️ https://t.co/42w0DmTV91
Leaseholders are being ripped off. Everyone (bar rip off landlords) accepts it. The Government agreed to end it. What a betrayal it would be to cave into vested interests. https://t.co/pcWnZq91a1
This latest dithering from the Government on leasehold reform in the face of Tory infighting is yet another sign that Rishi Sunak is too weak to deliver for working people. Over to you @michaelgove https://t.co/fTHlhesWyA
Leaseholders will rightly feel betrayed by this news and MPs on all sides will feel they’ve been led up the garden path - time for a general election and a Government that will properly tackle leasehold https://t.co/GqvCwymfMB
The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto promised unequivocally to restrict ground rents to a peppercorn. If the Tories are abandoning that manifesto commitment, leaseholders deserve to know why. Michael Gove needs to come to Parliament on Monday to explain himself.
Yet more prescient reporting from @_tomscotson - this time in Jan. Sunday Times reporting Gove's plans are dead in the water https://t.co/dwFf1I4VZ1
It looks like ground rent will be alive and kicking under the Tories for years to come as Gove rolls over yet again. https://t.co/P4JnuzgxfS
Exclusive: Gove is fighting to salvage his leasehold reforms after No10/Treasury axed one of his key proposals Gove wanted to reduce all ground rents to a peppercorn rent, which he hoped would lead to a phase-out of the system That plan is now dead 1/8 https://t.co/W6yiOtKU7I