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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote the refurbishment of empty and vacant homes.

The number of empty homes in England is at its lowest since records began in 2004. In May 2010 over 300,000 homes in England had been standing empty for longer than 6 months. As of October 2016 the number of long-term empty properties had fallen to 200,145. Local authorities have powers and strong incentives to tackle empty homes.

• Through the New Homes Bonus they earn the same financial reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.
• Councils may also charge up to 150 per cent council tax for homes empty for over two years.