Angela Rayner Proposes Changes to Right to Buy

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, has proposed restricting the Right to Buy scheme for new council homes in England, citing a pressing homelessness crisis. She stated the government will implement measures to prevent newly built affordable homes from being sold off, affirming, "we’re not losing that stock." The Right to Buy scheme, introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1980, has seen over two million homes sold but is increasingly criticized for contributing to homelessness by depleting social housing stock. Rayner indicated potential reductions in the discounts available to tenants purchasing under this policy, and a consultation on the issue is set to launch later this year. Additionally, Labour plans to build 1.5 million homes while allowing local authorities to retain all proceeds from sales. The government recently allocated £10 million to help support rough sleepers during winter, highlighting the urgency of the housing crisis.