A RUNCORN MP has welcomed a ban on ‘extortionate’ ground rents announced in the Queen’s speech.

Mike Amesbury, whose Weaver Vale MP constituency includes east Runcorn, said he hopes the new law will also protect existing leaseholders, including his constituents in places like Sandymoor and Beechwood.

Some leaseholders across the country have faced spiralling ground rent charges attached to the land on which their property sits, but were unaware of the hidden cost at point of purchase.

In the Queen’s speech it was announced ground rents will be abolished for new leasehold properties – with only a nominal peppercorn rent payable – but the implications for existing leaseholders are not yet clear.

Mr Amesbury, who is Labour’s shadow housing minister, said: “I was campaigning on this issue even before I was first elected MP in 2017.

“It’s a scandal that has seen some leaseholders charged extortionate amounts in ground rent on top of their mortgage and any service charges.

“My weekly postbag has continued to feature correspondence from affected constituents. It’s actually a huge problem across the whole of the north west of England and North Wales.”

The MP called leasehold a symbol of what he called ‘the country’s broken housing system’, adding that he hoped the government would now deliver on its pledge.

He said: “With so many announcements and false dawns from successive housing ministers the proof will be in the delivery.

“Justice must be done for the 4.5 million leaseholders trapped in this feudal system.”