Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated that the outright abolition of England and Wales' leasehold system is "almost certainly impossible," clarifying Labour's manifesto pledge to "end" it. He explained this means dismantling the system and making it easier for leaseholders to control their buildings, not an immediate disappearance of the approximately five million existing leases. Pennycook questioned the legality and logistical challenges of such an immediate abolition, including impacts on the mortgage market and the establishment of commonhold associations. The government's draft leasehold bill aims to facilitate conversion to commonhold, ban new leasehold flat sales, and cap ground rents at £250 annually, with a new commonhold framework expected before Parliament concludes in 2029. Campaign groups, however, are calling for a binding timetable and concrete progress, expressing frustration with the pace of reform.