New amendments to the Housing and Planning Bill could widen the secretary of state’s powers to force councils to sell their housing stock. 

Under the Government's initial proposals, councils would have been expected to sell their ‘high value’ properties to fund the extension of right to buy to housing association tenants.   

Communities minister Baroness Williams this morning changed the wording in the Bill from ‘high value’ to ‘higher value,’ sparking fears that more homes would fall within the definition.