Minister Casts Doubt Over Higher Value Levy Date

Housing minister Gavin Barwell has admitted councils need “plenty of time” to prepare for the higher value asset levy, raisings doubt over whether it will be introduced from April next year as expected. The government was widely expected to implement the policy from April next year but detailed regulations required to implement the measure have not been published. A CLG civil servant also admitted that the Right to Buy extension has been delayed by the Brexit referendum vote. Speaking at a CLG committee session, Mr Barwell said the government has not made any decisions about when councils will be expected to make the payment but details of the “controversial policy” would require “quite a notice period” before being introduced. Read more on Inside Housing.