Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support her Department provides to local authorities to help bring vacant high street properties back into active commercial and community use.

The Government supports local authorities to bring vacant high street properties back into commercial and community use through the High Street Rental Auction powers. Councils can access practical guidance and new burdens funding to support implementation.

The Government has announced a £10 million package to support the delivery of High Street Rental Auctions, with further detail on this funding available in due course, and l will publish a wider High Streets Strategy later this year.