Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, just became Minister of State for Housing and Planning in July 2024 amid rising homelessness costs.
The UK government announced a cap on ground rents at £250 annually for leaseholders in England and Wales, with plans to phase out leasehold for new flats and enable existing leaseholders to switch to commonhold. The move aims to reform the leasehold system and address longstanding issues, including escalating charges and unfair practices.
The UK government has announced that private rented homes will not be subject to new decent homes standards until 2035, a delay criticized by campaigners. Meanwhile, Scotland and England are introducing new regulations to improve housing safety, including measures against damp, mould, and falls.