Right To Buy

[tonyav]

The tories, party of the working people.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/generalelection2015/david-cameron-revives-right-to-buy-and-says-tories-are-the-party-of-working-people/ar-AAaXBbf

[mikey4444]

At this rate Naomi, we will have to announce our formal engagement soon.

Its even less often that Talbot and I agree Naomi, but he is completely correct at 13:19. Local Councils were not allowed to put the funds raised back into housing, and that was the previous RTB scheme's fatal flaw.

[naomi24]

Haaa! Stop it! You'll have the Chatterbankers all of a tizzy!! :o)

[ToraToraTora]

yes mikey I did and said so many times and on the BBC site they do say that they will be able to use the money for new build.

[mikey4444]

TTT...I accept what you say. I am glad that I recalled your view on this matter correctly.

But this RTB scheme is not quite the same as the previous one, as the Housing Associations cannot be compelled to sell to their Tenants. At least that is what is being reported about, this new Tory Manifesto commitment.

[Old_Geezer]

Precisely TTT. If one has a cut price dwelling courtesy of the taxpaying 'sucker' it's easier to find the money to do it up (or sell on even). Would that we all got given presents like that.

Folk can own their own homes as soon as they can afford them. Not being in that position is no excuse for 'freebies' on the taxpayer. Nor is it holding any water to imply someone you disgaree with holds views they have never stated.

It is totally inequitable to play Lady Bountiful using public money to court one section of society with money demanded from us all for one's own advantage. It's almost as low as politician can get in this country.

[whiskeryron]

//
ToraToraTora
yes mikey I did and said so many times and on the BBC site they do say that they will be able to use the money for new build. // I do not trust them to keep their word. If Mrs T had not barred councils from using the cash from the sale of council houses to build replacement properties we would not be in the pickle we are now with young couples unable to rent houses when they cannot afford to buy. Not everyone wants to buy, I know a lot of folks who would love to rent a council property.

[mikey4444]

Whiskeryron...I am almost reluctant to say this, because every time I do, I get shouted down, but..................common sense at 14:16.

Same to you OG !

Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb I suppose !

[jno]

the Tories giving away other people's property again, are they? If Labour do that it's called socialism, but Thatcherites love it anyway.

[New Judge]

The idea behind this should be to reduce the amount of "social housing", not simply to replace one lot of tenants with another. "Affordable" homes (as opposed to their "unaffordable" cousins, often next door) are subsidised by the public purse. The aim should be to reduce this subsidy and I don't see today's announcement doing that.

[Huderon]

A nice, headline grabbing policy, but that's pretty much all it is.

To get on a Housing Association list you have to homeless or on the verge of homelessness, or in a vulnerable housing situation. Two thirds of households in HA properties get housing benefit, only 25% have anyone in full time work, almost one third are retired and about 20% are lone parents.

Somehow I can't see too many HA tenants being in a position to take advantage of this extension.

[Kromovaracun]

It really is not relevant whether the Labout party supported this 50 years ago. That does not make it a good policy.

Surely everybody knows that the cull of social housing under Thatcher had a disastrous long-term effect on the housing market? I'm sure those of you who were effectively given free money by the govt the first time around were indeed delighted. But for subsequent generations it is probably the biggest reason that they have been priced out of the housing market, and why there are such enormous waiting lists for social housing.

I'm very surprised that people can be so short sighted. But I suppose that's what happens when somebody offers you free money.

[tonyav]

I think that Thatchers philosophy was that an home owner ( especially in that era ) would be more likely to vote tory.

[TWR]

Is this a panic strategy Tony, he will try anything to regain the number 10 key, how is it these Promises are now coming out with an election coming up?

[naomi24]

I think it was done to save councils the financial burden of maintaining social housing, but home ownership does encourage a sense of personal responsibility. As has been mentioned, walk around a council estate and inevitably the privately owned houses can be picked out from the rest.

[Canary42]

A significant proportion of the council houses bought under Thatcher's scheme are now in the hands of private landlords charging exorbitant rents.

[Gromit]

Not sure how they can revive something that never went away?
My mums neighbour bought her house a couple of years ago.

[andy-hughes]

I live in Stoke, where the amount of brownfield land on which housing was demolished to make room for new housing equates to an area the size of Milton Keynes.

The much heralded 're-generation' of the city has never happened, and vast swathes of land have remained vacant for ten years and counting.

Meanwhile, developers Barratt Homes have applied to build nearly 300 new houses on a greenfield site where I live, in a more affluent area of the city. The area is a designated flood plane, with regular flooding from the local canal culvert, as well as being an area of wildlife interest, and no suitable site access, schools, public transport, doctors, or amenities.

All parties make noise about building 'affordable housing' - but the builders and councils are not interested in the concept. The builders want high-return houses in desirable areas, and the council want them because they represent higher council taxes which will be easier to collect.

Add to that the blatant vote-buying of 'right-to-buy' and any party sells out the future social housing which is already critically short, for a short-term election success.

It was immoral when Thatcher did it, and it is immoral now. I will refuse to vote for any party that sanctions this betrayal of poorer people for the short-termism of imminent votes.

Even by modern political standards, this is a low trick, and that is saying something.

[naomi24]

Gromit, as I understand it this is not a revival but a proposed extension of the scheme to include properties owned by housing associations.

[TWR]

Andy, there was a lot more that evil woman done at the time, get people to go into debt so the B/S + Banks could repossess, the police wages up, stock up the Power Stations, put the Army on alert, for one reason, your town paid the Price, Yorks / Notts paid the price!

[jno]

andy, if developers have entered contracts to provide affordable housing along with the more upmarket kind, there is plenty of help for them to wriggle out of it, since the government decided to weaken the rules

Looking to avoid providing Affordable Housing?

http://www.section-106.co.uk/?gclid=COn-rvT698QCFYHJtAod0UkAUg