Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, made an appearance on Sky News this morning to defend her plan to reform the Right to Buy scheme. She emphasized the need to ensure that council houses are not sold at a high discount without the ability to replace them with new social housing. Labour’s manifesto includes reviewing the increased Right to Buy discounts introduced in 2012 and enhancing protections for newly-built social housing.
Rayner clarified that while she does not want to completely scrap the Right to Buy scheme, there is a need to address the issue of council houses being sold off at significant discounts. She highlighted the importance of building a generation of social housing to meet the country’s needs. The Right to Buy scheme allows most council tenants to purchase their council home at a discounted rate, a policy originally introduced by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.
In response to criticism regarding her personal benefit from the Right to Buy scheme, Rayner defended the idea that long-term residents who have invested in their homes should have the right to buy them. She stressed the importance of balancing the rights of tenants with the need to ensure the availability of social housing for future generations.
The discussion around reforming the Right to Buy scheme comes at a time when the government is facing various challenges in the housing sector, including the removal of unsafe cladding from residential buildings. Rayner acknowledged the complexities involved in addressing the issue of unsafe cladding, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan to accelerate the process of remediation.
As the Deputy Prime Minister, Rayner expressed a commitment to holding building owners accountable for the removal of unsafe cladding, stating that there is no excuse for delays in addressing the issue. She highlighted the availability of funding for remediation and the importance of ensuring that companies take responsibility for making necessary repairs.
Additionally, Rayner discussed the need to empower social housing tenants and strengthen their rights in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. She acknowledged the challenges faced by tenants in raising concerns about their living conditions and emphasized the importance of providing legal protections and representation for vulnerable individuals.
In light of the recent Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, Rayner pledged to work towards speeding up the removal of unsafe cladding from buildings across the UK. While acknowledging the progress made in identifying and remediating affected buildings, she underscored the need for legislative changes to facilitate a more efficient process.
Overall, Angela Rayner’s efforts to reform the Right to Buy scheme and address challenges in the housing sector reflect a commitment to ensuring the availability of safe and affordable housing for all residents. Her emphasis on accountability, empowerment, and efficiency in addressing housing issues demonstrates a proactive approach to tackling complex issues in the housing sector.
