Oral QuestionNorthern Ireland Office

What assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits to Northern Ireland of maintaining full alignment with the rules of the customs union and single market after the UK leaves the EU.

Tabled: 12 December 2017Answered: 20 December 2017

Asked by

Preet Kaur Gill

Labour (Co-op)Birmingham Edgbaston

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

I well recognise the situation that my hon. Friend describes, but I also recognise the reluctance of local authorities to take on substandard housing estates that have been built. We have decided to consult this year on options to reduce the prevalence of private management of estates of the kind he describes. We will also, importantly, implement new consumer protections for homeowners on private estates in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.