Housing minister Grants Shapps has announced a housing Freedom Pass & a National Home Swap Scheme database.
David Cameron has signalled the end of council houses for life, according to reports.
I think it was the Thatcher government which introduced formal security of tenure for council tenants – it was needed as part of the law which introduced the Right to Buy.
So far I have been able to track down only the following from Grants Shapps illustrious predecessor as Housing minister (now Sir) John Stanley:
“A tenants' charter will form part of the housing legislation which the Government intend to introduce in this Session of Parliament. It will include provisions on security of tenure.” (16 July 1979).
The question is therefore whether the Right to Buy can continue without security of tenure. Well I am not a lawyer, so haven’t a clue. But it makes me wonder if perhaps that is not part of the aim of the exercise – after thirty years the Conservatives wish to abandon a flagship Thatcherite policy to stop the draining away of the stock of social housing.
I am also beginning to think that young master Cameron is a master of the magicianly art of misdirection – pensions, Pakistan …
