Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner has dismissed Tory accusations of hypocrisy over her use of the Right-to-Buy scheme, saying she is proud of owning her former council house. Ms Rayner said she bought her home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a 25% discount in 2007, under the policy introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1980. That’s not hypocrisy, it’s the right thing to do.”Ms Rayner added: “But the problem with the Right-to-Buy was never ordinary people’s dreams of owning their own home – it was that council housing stock was sold off and then not replaced. It’s helped fuel the housing crisis.”Previously criticised the Right-to-Buy schemeMs Rayner has previously criticised the Right-to-Buy scheme for giving some tenants ‘loads and loads of discount’ and said she would review it if Labour won the next election. But we need to make sure that it doesn’t have a negative impact on the availability of affordable housing.”

Source: The Guardian February 26, 2024 15:37 UTC