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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to make local councils aware of the High Street Rental Auctions scheme.

The government continues to work with local councils to support the implementation of the High Street Rental Auction powers.

In November I wrote to the leaders and chief executives of every local authority in England notifying them of the commencement date for the powers and inviting them to be early adopters. We have since announced three initial early adopter areas (Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield) and are supporting them closely, along with other councils actively developing plans for using the powers.

The department has hosted a national showcase event and five webinars raising awareness, promoting the funding support and toolkits available to local authorities to assist delivery. On 2 December, the department published technical guidance and prospectuses explaining what funding is available and how councils can apply.