Major rule change for anyone living in a council house under new Labour crackdown
A MAJOR rule change has been introduced for anyone living in a council house under a new Labour crackdown.
Stringent restrictions will be placed on the government scheme going forward.
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A major rule change has been introduced for anyone living in a council house under a new Labour crackdown
The right-to-buy scheme
Right to Buy was the policy of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, helping to propel her to her first general election victory.
But discounts for council tenants seeking to buy their homes are now to be drastically cut by Angela Rayner.
As a result of the move, which will impose stringent restrictions on the right-to-buy scheme, the Deputy Prime Minister was accused of an 'attack on aspiration'.
Under the new scheme, the discount will be cut to between five and 15 per cent, which is drastically down from 35 per cent at present.
Ms Rayner also announced that tenants must have lived in a council house for 10 years – which previously used to be only three – to be able to qualify.
Plus, those people who have previously benefitted from the scheme will be barred from trying again
Newly built council houses exempt
Newly built council houses will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years.
Kevin Hollinrake, shadow housing secretary, called Ms Rayner a 'hypocrite' because she had benefitted from right to buy herself.
Ms Rayner bought her former council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 2017 for £79,000 after claiming a 25 per cent discount reports The Telegraph.
She later sold the property for £48,500 more than she paid for it.
You'd never know I live in a council house thanks to how good it looks - I shopped in IKEA & an Amazon tip saved me cash
Mr Hollinrake said: 'Today, Labour has chosen to quietly bury bad news, slipping out a policy that slashes right-to-buy eligibility and discounts.
'This is nothing short of an attack on aspiration. Labour is turning its back on the very families who work hard and want a stake in their future.'
The scheme has helped millions
Mr Hollinrake explained that for decades, the right to buy has helped millions take their first step onto the housing ladder.
He continued: "Now, this Government is making it harder than ever to own a home.
"It is increasingly clear that the only guaranteed route to housing in this country is to arrive on a small boat.
'And the hypocrisy is staggering, Angela Rayner has personally benefitted from right to buy.
"Yet under her party's watch, that opportunity is being stripped away from others. Labour's message to aspiring homeowners is clear.'
Sir Keir Starmer promised wholesale reform to restrict access to the scheme, saying it had too dramatically reduced the number of social houses available to people who needed them.
Ms Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government department believe the move would allow councils to rebuild their stock.
As well as better ensure that only tenants who have paid rent on their homes for many years are able to benefit from the scheme.
The changes will prevent existing property owners, or those who have previously benefitted from the scheme, from exercising the right to buy unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as being the victim of domestic abuse.
Newly built social and affordable housing will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years, making it more financially viable for the council to build new homes.
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