§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with London borough councils on the number of empty housing units in their authorities. [83333]
§ Mr. RaynsfordAs part of the annual Housing Investment Programme determination, officials from the Government Office for London regularly discuss with all London boroughs many aspects of their housing strategies and their performance as housing authorities. These discussions include the boroughs' enabling role in bringing empty properties back into use and their private sector renewal strategies to tackle empty properties in the private sector.
The Government fully support the work of the Empty Homes Agency and the London Empty Property Forum, which are both playing an important role in bringing empty homes back into use.