Right to Buy Consultation Paper

February 2012

This paper summarises thegovernment’s 2011 consultation on the right to buy initiative in England.

Communities and LocalGovernment unveiled its consultation paper on the right to buy in November2011, announcing proposals to increase the cap on discounts to £50,000. The newcap would double the maximum discount available in much of the country, whiletrebling it in most parts of London.

The revival of the right tobuy, first announced during autumn’s Conservative Party conference, has beenmet with concern from some local authorities among fears that they would not beallowed to retain receipts from sales locally. Communities & LocalGovernment said that the consultation would consider the different methods inthat the receipts can be used to deliver replacement affordable rent homes on aone-for-one basis, as pledged by the government.

Housing minister Grant Shappssaid the government was ‘determined to maintain the number of affordablehomes for rent’, repeating the commitment that ‘every additional homethat is sold will be replaced by a new affordable home on a one-for-one basis’.The Local Government Association has called for receipts to be retained in fullby local councils and for councils to be allowed to decide on discount rates.

This paper discusses thedifferent responses to the consultation from various organisations and peopleto discover its key points and the meaning behind them in a practical context.

For full briefing paper please click here.