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To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the expansion of artificial intelligence companies on demand for commercial office space in London.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the expansion of artificial intelligence companies on demand for commercial office space in London.
The Government recognises the significant contribution that AI companies make to economic growth and innovation.
Demand for commercial office space in London is influenced by a range of factors, including wider economic conditions, business investment and workplace trends. The expansion of AI companies may contribute to demand for office space, particularly in innovation and technology clusters, but the Government does not routinely assess the impact of individual sectors on the commercial property market.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of development corporations on accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of development corporations on accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation.
My Department has made no specific assessment on the potential impact of Development Corporations in accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation.
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 included measures to create a clearer, more flexible, and robust framework for development corporations.
The government intends to bring forward further legislation in due course to provide for locally led urban Development Corporations, enabling more coastal communities to establish them, where appropriate.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the flexible workspace sector on (a) changes to the Valuation Office classification of serviced offices and (b) the potential impact of these changes on small businesses.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the flexible workspace sector on (a) changes to the Valuation Office classification of serviced offices and (b) the potential impact of these changes on small businesses.
Both HM Treasury Ministers and officials continue to engage closely with the flexible workspace sector.
The Valuation Office (VO) is responsible for valuing non-domestic property for business rates purposes. They are required to maintain accurate rating lists in England and to carry out valuations impartially and in line with relevant legislation and caselaw.
At this time, there is no sector-wide review of serviced office assessments underway. The VO is addressing properties where they have received legal advice, or where unit of assessment issues are brought to its attention.
Where the VO is required to determine the unit of assessment, it does so on a case-by-case basis, with all facts being considered. Reviewing a small number of cases will help clarify the application of legislation on serviced offices and the VO will continue to monitor legal developments and update its approach as needed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of privately rented non-domestic buildings in England and Wales with a total useful floor area of less than 1,000 square metres.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of privately rented non-domestic buildings in England and Wales with a total useful floor area of less than 1,000 square metres.
Based on analysis of Non-Domestic National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework 2025, we estimate that approximately 93% of non-domestic buildings have a floor area of less than or equal to 1,000 square meters. The non-domestic PRS MEES Impact Assessment will be published in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of opening up business energy data on forecasting, carbon reporting and decarbonisation in non-domestic buildings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of opening up business energy data on forecasting, carbon reporting and decarbonisation in non-domestic buildings.
The Government recognises the importance of energy data in managing energy use and planning the deployment of energy savings measures. There is significant existing reporting for non-domestic buildings, much of which is already publicly available, including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting and the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
Central government organisations report their energy consumption through the Greening Government Commitments. HM Treasury set mandatory requirements on central government annual reports and accounts aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure recommendations. This guidance can also be used by the wider public sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the accessibility of legal redress for small businesses in disputes relating to commercial property holding deposits.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the accessibility of legal redress for small businesses in disputes relating to commercial property holding deposits.
The Ministry of Justice has not conducted a specific assessment of this individual issue.
We are aware that holding deposits are a common practice in negotiations for commercial premises. These are a private matter between landlords and businesses. However, we would always advise that parties seek independent advice before making any deposit.
The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the commercial leasing system to ensure that it is fit for modern practices. The review is underway and will make recommendations for how the legislation governing the system can be improved.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of protections for small businesses that pay holding deposits during negotiations for commercial premises.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of protections for small businesses that pay holding deposits during negotiations for commercial premises.
We know that holding deposits are common practice in negotiations for commercial premises. These are a private matter between landlords and businesses. However, we would always advise that parties seek independent advice before making any deposit.
The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the commercial leasing system to ensure that it is fit for modern practices. The review is underway and will make recommendations for how the legislation governing the system can be improved.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government on protections for small businesses entering into commercial lease negotiations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government on protections for small businesses entering into commercial lease negotiations.
This policy is owned by MHCLG and in the Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July 2025, we committed to supporting the Law Commission in reviewing the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, part II, to ensure it is fit for today’s market.
Landlords and businesses have told government that the law has not kept pace with the reality of the sector today, stifling growth and productivity, and presenting a barrier to regenerating our high streets.
The Law Commission has therefore been commissioned to review this legislation with the objective of producing recommendations for a fairer and more transparent commercial leasing system.
2025 saw the highest ever number of new solar panel installations in the UK. Amid volatile electricity prices, can small-scale solar reduce electricity bills, and what challenges remain in its rollout?
2025 saw the highest ever number of new solar panel installations in the UK. Amid volatile electricity prices, can small-scale solar reduce electricity bills, and what challenges remain in its rollout?
I am pleased to provide an update on the Government’s approach to strengthening Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the non‑domestic private rented sector, following our previous consultations and extensive recent engagement with industry, investors, local authorities and other stakeholders.
The Government consulted in 2019 and 2021 on proposals to raise...
I am pleased to provide an update on the Government’s approach to strengthening Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the non‑domestic private rented sector, following our previous consultations and extensive recent engagement with industry, investors, local authorities and other stakeholders.
The Government consulted in 2019 and 2021 on proposals to raise...
My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy Consumers (Martin McCluskey) made the following Statement today:
I am pleased to provide an update on the Government’s approach to strengthening Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the non‑domestic private rented sector, following our previous consultations and extensive recent engagement with industry, investors, local...
My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy Consumers (Martin McCluskey) made the following Statement today:
I am pleased to provide an update on the Government’s approach to strengthening Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the non‑domestic private rented sector, following our previous consultations and extensive recent engagement with industry, investors, local...
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential for solar energy installations in public and commercial buildings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential for solar energy installations in public and commercial buildings.
The Government recognises there is significant potential to deploy rooftop solar on public and commercial properties.
As well as promoting rooftop solar for businesses, the Government is intensifying efforts to build renewables on the public estate. It is establishing a new Taskforce chaired by the Cabinet Office to assess where renewables can be built and support departments to bring forward viable projects.
Along with Great British Energy, the Government has invested £255 million in solar energy installations on public buildings, supporting around 250 schools, over 270 NHS sites and around 15 military sites across the country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.
The Government has not identified evidence that Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have reduced the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.
The department’s Impact Assessment has shown that costs for building improvements would be expected to make up a small proportion of typical commercial rents and are therefore unlikely to distort rental pricing on their own. The cost effectiveness test within the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations means that an energy efficiency improvement must be implemented only where it is estimated that the energy bill savings over 7 years are greater than the cost of installing the measure. This is designed to ensure all measures installed are good value for money.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he will implement stricter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations for commercial properties from 2027, and whether the responsibility for complying with the regulations will lie solely with the property owner.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he will implement stricter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations for commercial properties from 2027, and whether the responsibility for complying with the regulations will lie solely with the property owner.
Government consulted on strengthening the non-domestic PRS minimum energy efficiency standards to EPC C by 1 April 2027, and EPC B by 1 April 2030. We are currently reviewing the policy design, including the timelines, to ensure that it remains fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. We plan to publish a response to the consultation as soon as possible.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards apply to the property owner, regardless of any maintenance or improvement obligations set out in lease agreements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.
The Department for Business and Trade has made no formal assessment on the impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.
Ofgem is currently reviewing the Maximum Resale Price (MRP) rules, which protect tenants and consumers by ensuring landlords and site owners cannot profit from reselling gas and electricity. A key focus of this work involves modernising the framework to address EV charging, mixed-use buildings, and enforcement procedures.
As part of their 14th programme, the Law Commission will be carrying out a scoping exercise focusing on various issues including service charges.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on business rate relief for firms that install external wall insulation on industrial units to reduce energy costs.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on business rate relief for firms that install external wall insulation on industrial units to reduce energy costs.
The Government is committed to supporting businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their premises, helping to reduce their energy costs. The business rates system already provides certain reliefs and exemptions, including Improvement Relief which provides 12 months of relief for qualifying improvements to a property.
Additionally, a Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on Improvement Relief.
The Government is carefully considering representations it has received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to support take-up of green leases that share energy-saving investment costs between landlords and commercial tenants.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to support take-up of green leases that share energy-saving investment costs between landlords and commercial tenants.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of service charge increases driven by increased communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of service charge increases driven by increased communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to businesses to improve the energy efficiency of commercial premises.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to businesses to improve the energy efficiency of commercial premises.
The Government is providing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, increasing each year to 2029/30. Currently, the grant available for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is £7500 and for air-to-air heat pumps is £2500. A one-year increase to £9000 for properties heated by oil or LPG was announced on 21 April.
Specific funding for owners of commercial premises may be available through local schemes. Businesses can search for local grant and advice schemes on the finance and support for businesses page on gov.uk.
The UK Business Climate Hub also provides support to non-intensive industries.