JUNGLEdrum News

Scotland ends right-to-buy scheme

Alex Salmond(Click to zoom)
 Alex Salmond

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond has outlined plans to end the right to buy for council tenants as part of its new legislative programme for 2009-10.

Mr Salmond said that the Scottish Government is committing "record investment" of £1.5 billion to social housing during the next three years, and will provide funding for 1,343 council houses.


He said, “We will introduce a Housing Bill to safeguard that housing for future generations. The Bill will end the right to buy for all new-supply social housing. And there will be plenty of such stock coming on stream because we are putting record investment into social housing – £1.5 billion over the next three years.

"This includes £644 million this year in our Affordable Housing Investment Programme. Approvals have already been made to allow work to start this financial year on 1,343 council houses supported by the first tranche of £50 million, the first central Government funding to encourage local authorities to build new housing in 30 years. This compares with just six council houses built during the four years of the last administration and, if I remember correctly all six were in Shetland. And that £50 million will support up to 3,000 jobs.”


The Scottish Government is also proposing a new law to stop bankrupt people losing their homes unnecessarily. A review of possible solutions, as part of the Debt and Family Homes Bill, will look at whether legislation could prevent creditors from taking the homes of people in debt to them.


Others in the industry welcomed the news and in particular Shelter Scotland said it will offer an alternative for those facing repossession because of the property and economic downturn. “Measures to help protect those facing re-possession is always good news. Repossession is a living nightmare for families faced with it, and must be prevented wherever possible,” said Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland.

Published in: JUNGLEdrum! The newsbeat from PROPERTYdrum

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