Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to simplify the process through which local authorities are granted selective licensing powers.

We are committed to reducing the time taken between applications being submitted to the department and decisions on selective licensing applications being communicated, that have recently been longer due to covid pressures. We are reviewing our processes and updating relevant guidance to ensure councils have the information they need.