Welcome Move To Prevent Loss Of Affordable Housing

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 23rd Jan 2003

David Rendel MP has issued a cautious welcome to a Government move that could help prevent local people being forced out of West Berkshire.

The Government has announced that the maximum discount available under the "right to buy" scheme will be cut. At the moment, property companies often abuse the system to make a profit at the expense of residents in need of affordable housing.

Mr Rendel said:

"Housing is the number one issue in my post bag as the local MP.

The present system allows too much social housing to be privatised, often to become second homes. Restricting the subsidy under the right to buy scheme will reduce the scope for abuse.

"Wherever possible people should be given the opportunity to own their own homes. But the shortage of affordable housing in West Berkshire makes it vital that we safeguard Housing Association and other public housing.

"Otherwise, we risk losing more teachers, nurses and police officers who won't be able to afford to live here."