Title

HOUSING

Councils back Right to Buy reforms but seek more flexibility

Reforms to Right to Buy (RtB) have given councils greater confidence in protecting and growing their housing stock, according to a Local Government Association (LGA) survey.

Social housing (c) Nigel J. Harris/Shutterstock

Social housing (c) Nigel J. Harris/Shutterstock

Reforms to Right to Buy (RtB) have given councils greater confidence in protecting and growing their housing stock, according to a Local Government Association (LGA) survey.

Last year's changes reduced discounts and increased flexibility over how councils could use receipts. 

Nearly half of councils (48%) now feel more positive about housebuilding and a quarter said new schemes have been unlocked.

However, many authorities cited ongoing Housing Revenue Account constraints, with 52% unable to progress new projects.

The LGA, alongside the County Councils' Network and District Councils' Network, urged the Government to ‘go further to ensure that local government is fully empowered to deliver the homes we desperately need' including by allowing individual councils to fix discount levels.

 

HOUSING

Investing in homes that work for councils and residents

By Josie Parsons | 19 December 2025

Delivering homes that are financially sustainable and socially valuable is a priority that’s becoming increasingly challenging. Housing investment discussion...

HOUSING

Real-terms funding cuts for almost half of councils

By Martin Ford | 18 December 2025

Almost half of councils will see funding fall in real terms under the local government finance settlement, according to analysis by the Institute for Fiscal ...

HOUSING

A year to remember...

By Martin Ford | 17 December 2025

A devolution priority programme combined with a wider council reorganisation that could be seen from space; Reform UK limbering up to terrify a Labour Govern...

HOUSING

Five lessons to usher in Total Place 2.0

By Stephen Taylor | 16 December 2025

Stephen Taylor welcomes the launch of place-based budget pilots across five mayoral authorities. Drawing on fresh insights from this year’s Total Place-style...

Popular articles by William Eichler