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 help support community-owned assets in council areas with funding deficits.

This Government is committed to communities and wants to ensure that they have the tools they need to protect local assets. The new Community Right to Buy will empower local people to protect valued community spaces and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets.

We have also announced £65m for communities across the country to rescue and take over the running of important local community assets, saving pubs, clubs and sports fields from closure. Further details of the fund and how to apply will be set out in due course.