Extension of Right to Buy scheme criticised

SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S Labour MPs have criticised the Government’s plans to extend the Right to Buy scheme to housing association tenants.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that 2.5 million tenants who currently rent their homes from not-for-profit housing associations will be given the right to buy them.

The Government has also pledged to build a new social home for every one sold, and will also launch an independent review of access to mortgage finance for first-time buyers, with the aim of making it easier for them to buy by widening access to low-deposit finance such as 95 per cent mortgages.

The Prime Minister has also pledged to change welfare rules so that the 1.5 million people who are in work but receive housing benefit will be able to use their benefit towards a mortgage, rather than it automatically going directly to private landlords and housing associations.

However, a number of South Yorkshire’s Labour MPs have criticised the scheme, and have raised concerns that it may “diminish the availability” of social housing.

Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central and former regional mayor, said: “The reality is that selling off housing association properties will only diminish the availability of social housing in the UK, whilst raising obvious legal concerns around forcing private companies to sell their assets at a knocked-down rate.”

Sarah Champion, Rotherham’s MP, echoed Mr Jarvis’ concerns, adding: “The government are regurgitating a failed policy of two years ago to try and deflect attention away from their failing PM.

“Housing associations are charities and not-for-profit organisations.”

Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, called instead for the government to “ramp up the building of affordable housing”.