02 November 2007
The Scottish National Party government has once more signalled its determination to go its own way with radical proposals to reform housing, including ending council house tenants' right to buy.
On October 31, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out plans to increase the number of houses built per year from 25,000 to 35,000. She also announced new help for first-time buyers through government grants, shared equity schemes and other measures.
Sturgeon confirmed that the housing and regeneration agency, Communities Scotland, is to be abolished. Its main functions will be transferred to the Scottish government, while its responsibilities for regulating social landlords will be reformed to operate outside government.
The ending of the right to buy will apply to all new-build council and housing association houses. Sturgeon said councils and many housing associations saw little point in building homes for rent if they were lost through right to buy.
She added: 'This will give local authorities and housing associations certainty when planning developments.'
The Scottish government would ensure that new social housing was safeguarded 'as a public asset', Sturgeon said.
Councils with the capacity to fund new housing will be offered financial incentives and there will be a new funding regime for housing associations.
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