---

Housing and Regeneration Bill

I have a query on Clause 117(4) which says, "““The regulator may set different fees, and make different provision, for different cases or circumstances””." I think I understand why the regulator may wish to be flexible, but I also recognise that, in the case of larger housing associations, particularly those with 50,000 plus units, £500,000 is not an inconsiderable amount, particularly when it is paid out every year. Can the Minister elaborate on why we have this ability to differentiate? Regulation usually means that larger players are able to carry out due diligence and their functions in a manner which is less time-intensive and effort-absorptive of the regulator than smaller players, which, on the whole, require more hand-holding. At the moment, the fees are distributed per unit of housing and I am concerned that that should remain so. Does the Minister envisage any point when the burden might shift disproportionately to some other formula?