Latest news with #councilHousing
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Construction in Wolverhampton of energy efficient homes begins
The construction of more than 20 new energy-efficient council houses in Wolverhampton is under way, the authority detached houses, bungalows and flats at the rear of Old Fallings Crescent in Low Hill are to have electric vehicle charging points and solar homes will also have timber frames, which reduces the carbon footprint and energy consumption, the council 24 homes are part of the latest phase of more than 80 new council properties being introduced in the city. The two, four and five bedroom homes are being built to future adaptability standards and the bungalows to wheelchair standards, the authority development has been supported by a £1.74m grant from Homes Steve Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said he was pleased to see the timber frames being erected at the site."This development helps address the local area's housing needs by providing a variety of council homes that will enhance the surrounding neighbourhood and foster a vibrant and inclusive community." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
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. 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 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.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Angela Rayner slashes right-to-buy discounts in ‘attack on aspiration'
Discounts for council tenants seeking to buy their homes are 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, depending on how long the tenant has lived there, down from 35 per cent at present. Ms Rayner also announced that tenants must have lived in a council house for 10 years – up from the current three – to be able to qualify. People who have previously benefitted from the scheme will be barred from trying again, and 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' as she had benefitted from right to buy herself. In 2007, Ms Rayner bought her former council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester, for £79,000 after claiming a 25 per cent discount. She later sold the property for £48,500 more than she paid for it. 'Today, Labour has chosen to quietly bury bad news, slipping out a policy that slashes right-to-buy eligibility and discounts,' Mr Hollinrake said. '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.' He added: 'For decades, right to buy has helped millions take their first step onto the housing ladder. 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.' Right to Buy was the totemic policy of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, helping to propel her to her first general election victory. Sir Keir Starmer promised wholesale reform to restrict access, saying it had too dramatically refused the number of social houses available to people who needed them. Ms Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government department announced the changes on Wednesday night, saying it would bring forward legislation to increase the eligibility requirement from three to 10 years. The department said this would allow councils to rebuild their stock and to 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. This is much higher than the 10 or 20 years envisioned in a recent consultation document. Labour promised at the last election to build 1.5 million more homes over the course of the Parliament. It says many of these will be social and affordable homes.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Council tenants keep social housing for life – even if they earn £100k
A Labour-run local authority has brought back lifetime tenancies for council house residents after a botched Tory crackdown. Westminster City Council has announced it is bringing back lifetime contracts for all its new and existing tenants, and scrapping fixed-term five-year tenancies. It means council house residents will have an automatic right to keep their home regardless of how much they go on to earn. Lifetime tenancies, also known as secure housing placements, are offered as the default by almost all local authorities after the previous Conservative government's bid to scrap them in 2015 was shelved. The town hall said the move would tackle 'housing insecurity' and develop stronger communities in the central London borough. But critics warned that people who go on to become 'high earners' would be able to continuing to live in taxpayer-subsidised homes permanently. Although councils usually conduct income checks on housing applicants, they are typically allowed to earn more after being approved for a property. Westminster's new policy recommends providers offer accommodation for life following a 12-month introductory period, replacing five-year fixed-term tenancies. After the death of a council house tenant, a property can be passed down to the council by their spouse, child or another member of the family. Paul Swaddle, the Conservative leader of Westminster council's opposition, warned that the move 'risks turning council homes into a permanent asset for the few, rather than a vital safety net for those who need them'. However, campaigners welcomed the revelation as a 'positive step'. Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, said: 'Once a family moves into a social home, they should have the peace of mind that they can plan for their future without having to worry about their housing situation changing suddenly.' Council house tenants will be given a lifetime guarantee that they can remain in a property, so long as they meet the conditions of their tenancy agreement, such as meeting rent payments and not engaging in anti-social behaviour. Cllr Swaddle said: 'Westminster has some of the longest housing waiting lists in the country. 'We should be helping those most in need [and] not creating a system where high earners can hold onto council homes for life, regardless of changing circumstances while others wait for years in temporary accommodation.' In 2012, a coalition government gave local authorities the discretion to not offer lifetime tenancies. However, take-up among councils was low. The Conservatives went further by trying to scrap them altogether in 2015, but eventually shelved the plans. It remains the predominant form of council housing today. Lifetime tenancies made up 89.9pc of new council lettings in the year ending March 2024, according to official figures. Meanwhile, the borough – which Labour won control of for the first time in 2022 – is embarking on a radical shake-up of its housing policy. Residents who are second home owners were recently hit with double council tax, while owners of long-term empty properties must now pay 300pc higher tax bills. An average Band D property in Westminster currently pays £1,017 a year in council tax. Separately, the council is lobbying ministers for greater powers to take possession of properties that have been empty for six months or longer and use them as council housing. Local authorities must currently wait two years before they can begin the legal process of possessing an empty property. Adam Hug, the leader of Westminster City Council, said: 'We're giving our residents the long-term security they deserve. 'A safe, stable home is the foundation for building a stronger community – and this change ensures tenants can plan for their futures with peace of mind. 'There will be no changes to rent, tenancy rights or the services residents receive and the council will work with tenants to ensure a smooth transition.'
