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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to ensure that public bodies use and share their expertise in identifying, buying and assembling land for affordable housing before procuring partners openly and transparently.

We encourage public bodies to dispose of their surplus land for housing. Homes England, the Government’s national housing agency, because of its expertise in land disposal, can provide advice and support to public bodies that need it to realise their land disposal plans.

MHCLG is also working closely with the Office of Government Property (OGP) in Cabinet Office. OGP leads the Government's Property Function and delivers the One Public Estate programme in partnership with the Local Government Association, supporting public sector bodies to collaborate on the shared use of their assets. OGP also leads the Government Property Profession, which promotes sharing of skills, practices and experience across Government.