Shelter has welcomed reports of plans by the Scottish Government to end Right to Buy for all new tenancies.

The housing and homelessness charity has been critical of the way that the controversial policy, introduced in 1980, has reduced the stock of affordable rented homes by around half a million, at a time of rising house waiting lists and record numbers of people applying as homeless.

The Scottish Government has already said that it would end Right to Buy for all newly-built houses. But, according to reports in a Sunday newspaper today (August 10), ministers appear to now want to go further and end the Right to Buy whenever someone takes up a new tenancy. That means that while existing tenants in existing homes remain in that home they would retain the Right to Buy. In all other circumstances it would end.

The charity's director, Graeme Brown said: 'The Right to Buy was dreamt up in the 1970s to fit a quite different Scotland: one where many cities and towns were dominated by huge council estates. That time has gone.

'There is no doubt that a lot of people have benefited from Right to Buy but time has proven that in many areas this has been at the cost of others desperately seeking a home.

'It is time to close the book on a policy which no longer meets the need of Scotland in the twenty-first century.

'At the same time I would urge current tenants not to be panicked into buying their home. If you already have Right to Buy you will keep that right, so there is no need for people to rush to buy if it is not sensible for them to do so.'

Notes to Editor

1. In its 'Firm Foundations' consultation on housing last year the Scottish Government said that it would end Right to Buy on homes that were newly BUILT by councils or housing associations. In a statement to Parliament on 25 June the Cabinet Secretary announced her intention to proceed with that. This would affect around 5-6,000 homes a year.
2. However, many respondents to 'Firm Foundations' also urged the Government to go further. Today's announcement in a Sunday newspaper, suggests that all NEW tenancies may lose Right to Buy. This would affect anyone taking up a council or HA tenancy for the first time or transferring from one house to another. This would affect around 60,000 homes a year.