Michael Gove is striving to preserve his key reforms of England's leasehold system amid challenges from Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, after a significant proposal was discreetly withdrawn by the Treasury and Downing Street. The controversy centers around the government's apparent backtrack on a 2019 Conservative manifesto pledge to eliminate ground rents, a move criticized by various political figures and the public. Critics, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and MP Ruth Cadbury, have voiced their concerns, highlighting the system's outdated nature and its impact on leaseholders. The opposition, represented by Barry Gardiner, has promised to abolish the leasehold system, labeling the current practice as 'evil'. Amidst these debates, OpiniumResearch polling indicates a strong support among Conservative voters, with 64 per cent in favor of the abolition of ground rents, despite the government's hesitance and the Treasury's preference for landlords. This issue has sparked a wider discussion on leasehold reform, with calls for more radical changes to protect leaseholders from rising charges and the threat of repossession.
Ministers facing calls to prevent leaseholders being threatened with losing homes over unpaid charges https://t.co/CdEXb5GIUz
Ministers are facing calls to prevent leaseholders being threatened with losing their home over unpaid charges. https://t.co/oQQU2iJsN8
Leaseholders complain of rising charges https://t.co/jNEYsSSO6o
Moves to make it harder to repossess leasehold homes over unpaid charges https://t.co/cH8c5xB5tt
🏘️ Polling seen by PoliticsHome found the majority of Tory voters were in favour of abolishing ground rents https://t.co/P5w0CmV9fP
Tenants and residents in London have soaring service charges, some of whom have seen their monthly bill rise by hundreds of pounds in a few years. A growing number are now refusing to pay unless action is taken. @Tarahwelsh #london https://t.co/Jt3KIZcRRZ
'We know it's daylight robbery... but the treasury is backing landlords over you.' @TomSwarbrick1 examines the government's 'U-turn' on ground rents. https://t.co/hsof1mqXLv
Uncertainty surrounds government pledge to slash ground rents for leaseholders as members of House of Lords prepare to raise concerns about Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: https://t.co/B9CYzqW4yQ
New: Tory voters overwhelmingly back abolishing ground rents @OpiniumResearch polling found 64 per cent of Tory voters want them scrapped The news comes as the Leasehold Reform Bill is set to be watered down 👇 https://t.co/ytVHlmUjFV
No 10 insists it remains committed to leasehold reform following reports plan to axe ground rents in jeopardy - https://t.co/Id8ivtxB7V
Conservative voters support contentious leasehold reforms https://t.co/lq4YwkppAO
Gove forced to dilute plans to cap leasehold ground rents in England and Wales https://t.co/YXhoqxjwUp
Once again the Conservative Government back down & let down the millions of leaseholders who are being fleeced & ripped off by this antique & outdated form of housing. Every week my postbag is full of the problems that leasehold creates... 1/2 https://t.co/FWxVWRZVY1
🔵 Michael Gove is battling Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, to save one of his flagship proposals for reforming England’s leasehold system https://t.co/HXle5ABvDk
Leaseholders deserve an explanation from Michael Gove. Ground rent is money for nothing and the 2019 Conservative manifesto promised to limit it to a peppercorn. I’ve been clear that the feudal leasehold system needs wholesale reform, with commonhold becoming the default tenure. https://t.co/qtjsWBiZaK
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