Lib Dems against social housing RTB

Tim Farron the recently elected leader of the Liberal Democrats made it clear in his speech at their conference this week, that his party were against the government plans for  right to buy for tenants of housing association homes.

He made it clear he would not allow the government to ‘destroy’ social housing by extending Margaret Thatcher’s flagship Right to Buy policy to include Housing Associations, the party would use their power in the House of Lords to block such plans.

In his first speech as leader at the  conference Farron set out plans to solve the housing crisis in England by building 300,000 new homes a year.

He said “Housing is the biggest single issue that politicians don’t talk about,”

“Well, we are going to talk about it, campaign on it, go on and on and on about it, and make a difference to the millions who have been ignored.

“Communities up and down this country have spent 25 years building housing association homes, picking up the pieces of Mrs Thatcher’s destruction of council housing, and we will not allow David Cameron to destroy that work too.”

He highlighted other policies that the Lib Dems would include to tackle the housing problem: Lifting the borrowing cap on local authorities, which the party claims could result in an extra 80,000 homes over five years, a ban on advertising UK properties to overseas investors first, a government-backed housing investment bank to provide capital for new homes and 10 new garden cities in England, including five major new settlements along a garden cities railway between Oxford and Cambridge.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

10 budget patio ideas for beginners in landscaping

Creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform your backyard into a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re looking to build a brand-new area or revamp an existing one, these budget-friendly patio ideas will inspire you to create a stylish and functional…
Read More
Home and Living

Top 5 Irrigation System Providers in the UK

A thriving allotment or kitchen garden is the pride of all plant lovers and allotment growers. However, maintaining an allotment or garden is not for the faint of heart. You need to put in a lot of effort, from mulching and composting to regular watering and weeding. Apart from watering, everything else needs to be…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage affordability on course for 2021 levels

Mortgage affordability could be on course to return to its most manageable level in almost five years, according to exclusive new analysis from INTEREST by Moneyfacts, as easing rates and rising incomes restore some breathing space for borrowers. The research shows that average mortgage payments, which peaked at close to half of gross monthly income…
Read More
Breaking News

City house prices soar

The latest research from Property DriveBuy reveals that house prices in UK cities are significantly outperforming both coastal and countryside locations, rising by an average of 3.4% over the past year, well ahead of the wider UK market which has seen growth of 2.5%. And while countryside homes have also seen a price increase, the…
Read More
Breaking News

Buyers return to housing market

2026 starts in line with 2024 with buyer demand 9% down on last year’s strong start Buyers are returning to the housing market at the start of 2026 as confidence improves and mortgage rates fall, but a growing number of homes for sale is giving buyers more choice and reshaping market conditions, according to Zoopla’s…
Read More
Breaking News

How will tenants be affected by the incoming Renters’ Rights Act?

On 28th October 2025, the Renters’ Rights Bill was passed into law, and it is now the Renters’ Rights Act. Changes to legislation resulting from this new Act will take effect from May 2026. This will affect landlords and how they let out their property, and it is worthwhile being aware of how it affects…
Read More