MIKE Amesbury has told Boris Johnson to “get a grip of the leasehold scandal” during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

The Weaver Vale MP raised the issue of leaseholding which he said has left many of his constituents trapped in homes they often can’t sell, and facing exorbitant costs to buy the very land their homes are built on.

Mr Amesbury has been a longstanding advocate for leaseholder reform, helping to secure the original inquiry into the practice when he was a member of the housing, communities and local government select committee.

Speaking in the chamber, Mr Amesbury said: “Eight consultations, millions of people are still caught by the leaseholding scandal, at what point is the Prime Minister going to get a grip and end this feudal system once and for all?”

Responding, Mr Johnson said the Government would legislate or ban new leasehold houses and reduce future ground rents to zero in all but “exceptional” circumstances.

Later, Mr Amesbury said: “Banning new leaseholds does nothing to help those of my constituents who are already trapped by this practice.

“Each time the Government pledges some kind of action then progress stalls again.

“We need actions and not words.”

Earlier this week, Cheshire West and Chester Council voted for a motion to lobby Government for a national inquiry into the mis-selling of leaseholds anda ban on new leaseholds