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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support high street revitalisation in places such as Aldridge and Brownhills; and what funding streams are available for local regeneration projects.

Government’s commitment to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area involves a Devolution Deal which provides more funding, a single departmental-style budget, and new powers over transport, skills, and housing. This approach gives the mayor and local leaders more control to invest in local priorities and deliver economic growth and regeneration as set out in the recently publish West Midlands Plan for Growth.

In addition, in 2024 the Government introduced High Street Rental Auctions, giving local authorities the power to bring long-vacant commercial properties back into use. Councils can auction rental rights for properties empty for at least 366 days within two years, aiming to revitalise high streets. Landlords have eight weeks to secure a tenant after notice; if unsuccessful, the property can be auctioned, with the new tenant restricted to the “high street use” set by the authority.