George Osborne renewed his attack on housing associations
this week after being forced into a corner by a House of Lords select committee
over the government’s right to buy plans. The chancellor took questions from peers
on a range of issues but a prolonged debate over the government’s housing plans
dominated proceedings. Mr Osborne made it clear from the start that the supply
of new housing was top government priority and that the “absence” of new
housing was “a problem” for the country. He told peers: “This country is not
building enough homes that people can buy. Baroness Blackstone raised her
concerns: “I wonder whether you are not concerned that there is going to be a
further depletion of the social housing stock out of extending the right to buy
to housing associations?” Read more on 24dash.
