FABIANI: END OF RIGHT-TO-BUY WILL SAFEGUARD FUTURE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES

Welcoming the Scottish Government’s Housing Bill, which includes proposals to end the right to buy for new tenants, Central Scotland MSP Linda Fabiani said:

“The SNP government has made a major investment in a building a new generation of council housing, and this important piece of legislation which will safeguard their availability for the tenants of the future.

“Social rented housing provides a secure alternative for 600,000 households across Scotland. It is a crucial part of the housing stock mix, but a shortage of affordable social rented housing was allowed to develop when the right to buy policy was not balanced by new building.

“The SNP is now addressing that shortage by building affordable new homes to rent, and it is crucial to make sure that that investment continues to deliver for future generations. I welcome the support of South Lanarkshire Council and housing and tenants’ organisations, such as Shelter, for the Scottish Government’s reform of the right to buy.

“The right to buy policy did help many people to purchase their own home, but it also left many others struggling to find secure and affordable accommodation. It’s time to correct that imbalance.

“At the same time, the SNP government is acting to help homeowners by reducing the risk of repossession by giving Scottish homeowners given even greater protection, building on the Mortgage Rights Act and supporting those facing potential bankruptcy.

“Tory opposition to this sensible reform of the right to buy is hardly a surprise. During the Thatcher years they demonstrated a nasty snobbery against people who chose to rent rather than buy their homes, and that attitude is obviously still alive and well in David Cameron’s Conservative party today.”