20. In section 26 of the Local Government Act 1988(1) (consents under section 25 for provision of financial assistance etc), after subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) Before determining whether to consent under section 25 to the exercise of a power, the Secretary of State shall consult the Regulator of Social Housing if—
(a)the power is to be exercised by a local authority in England, and
(b)exercise of the power would involve the disposal by the authority of social housing (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008).”