The UK government announced new measures to give local councils stronger powers to seize long-term empty homes and bring them back into use.

What it means

The UK government is giving local councils stronger powers to take possession of long-term empty homes and bring them back into use. This likely involves strengthening existing Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), which allow councils to take over the management of properties that have been vacant for an extended period. The move is aimed at increasing housing supply and addressing homelessness.

Accuracy & sourcesSourced

This claim is directly from the official government press release, making it a first-hand account of the announced policy. The primary source is the Department for Business and Trade's announcement, and the reporting is based on that release.

How new

This is genuinely new; the announcement was made today and is being reported within hours.

Go deeper

• Dept for Business and Trade — first to publish