Mixed response to Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

Among the bills announced in the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday was a Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that will aim to expand devolution in England through the creation of more directly elected mayors. It will also provide some modest planning reforms to support housebuilding and give local councils additional powers to bring empty commercial premises back into use. These powers could include initiating rental auctions of vacant commercial properties in town centres and high streets. The plans received a mixed response, with Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, saying it had the potential to make a “huge difference in rejuvenating empty properties and ... reviving high streets” but Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said such “political gimmicks” were “not the solution and will deter rather than encourage investment into the areas where it is most needed”. Additionally, the Renters Reform Bill will end so-called “no-fault” evictions that enabled landlords to throw out their tenants with eight-weeks’ notice.

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