Money Box Live: Right to Buy

Available for over a year

How have you been affected by the Conservatives' policy to increase home ownership? New data shows a big rise in the number of council homes in England sold off in the past 6 years. It follows government efforts to boost the scheme, which gives council tenants the right to buy their homes at a hefty discount, funded by the taxpayer. The policy was introduced in the 1980's under Margaret Thatcher, to encourage home ownership and greater social responsibility. Since then, more than 2 million council homes across the UK have been sold. But it's always been controversial with concerns that not enough replacement homes are being built to meet demand. Scotland stopped selling off its council homes in 2016 and Wales is following suit. Are you among the millions of council tenants who've benefited from the Right to Buy scheme, getting a foot on the property ladder? Or are you waiting even longer to be housed by the council, because there aren't enough affordable homes to rent? Maybe you're a housing association tenant, desperate for the right to buy, but left in limbo as the government develops its plans to extend the policy beyond council tenants. Join Louise Cooper and a panel of guests to discuss the impact of Right to Buy. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 7 February 2018. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply. Guests: Councillor Nick Forbes, senior vice-chair, Local Government Association James Prestwich, Policy Director, National Housing Federation Graeme Brown, Director, Shelter Scotland Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams.