Latest news with #RighttoBuy
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Data reveals the number of available homes in Lewisham
New data has revealed that the number of homes in Lewisham has risen between 2023 and 2024. Data collated from housing supply data from local authorities across England has shown the number of homes in each local authority, along with annual net new builds and affordable housing completions. Lewisham Council recorded a total of 13,584 dwellings in April 2024, 71 per cent of which were private homes, 18 per cent were housing association owned homes and 11 per cent were owned by the local authority. These figures were higher than the national average, as nationally 83 per cent of dwellings are private sector, ten per cent are housing association dwellings and six per cent are local authority dwellings. According to data, the total number of homes in Lewisham rose by 408 in the year to April 1, 2024, considering new builds, conversions, changes of use and demolitions. These figures show an increase in available homes after home supplies went up by 289 in the previous year, when the authority recorded a total of 289 additional homes. See the full figures: Additionally, data has shown that Lewisham's number of new builds per year rose between 2022 – 2023 and 2023 – 2024 by 102 (56 per cent), from 181 to 283. Although figures have shown that the number of new builds in Lewisham has shrunk by 1,515 since 2019 – 2022 when 1,168 new builds were recorded. See the full figures: Last year between 2023 and 2024 the number of homes converted in Lewisham was 73, which was a slight increase from the year before with 69. Between 2023 and 2024, 56 homes were changed in use, which was a decrease from the previous year's total of 60. However, the number of homes demolished has increased, with no homes recorded as demolished between 2022 and 2023 increasing to four between 2023 – 2024. Councillor James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration & Planning, said: 'We're getting on and building the homes Lewisham needs, as we believe everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable home. 'It is a basic human right, not a privilege. 'We are committed to tackling the housing crisis head-on, and we are using every tool available to us as a council. 'We're building council homes ourselves, buying back those lost to Right to Buy, and making sure new developments deliver for all, securing the maximum possible number of social rent and other affordable homes from developers as we do so. 'We're also unlocking new opportunities, innovating, and working with partners who share our commitment to people, not profit, such as Citizen's House, a community land trust with homes permanently linked to the average income of an area. 'Our new Local Plan, which we expect to adopt this summer, lays out a bold vision for housing in Lewisham right through to 2040 – with fairness, sustainability, and affordability at its heart. 'With planning permission already in place for around 14,000 new homes, we're pushing every stalled site to move forward with delivery again. 'Now, with a new government that recognises the scale of Britain's housing crisis they inherited, and the vital role of local authorities in fixing it, we finally have a chance to build at the pace and scale Lewisham needs. 'We look forward to working with government to unlock new powers and new funding, as we work together with fresh determination to get Britain building.'
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
'Scotland is not an island of strangers', says Humza Yousaf
Speaking at the Stand Up To Racism 'Stop Reform 2026' summit in The Boardwalk, Glasgow, Yousaf stressed the need to mobilise against growing far-right rhetoric, emboldened by Reform and Keir Starmer's language regarding immigration, whilst highlighting the contributions made to Scotland by migrants over several decades. Yousaf criticised Starmer's language in a speech which drew comparisons to Enoch Powell, saying: "Let me be absolutely clear, Prime Minister: Scotland is not an island of strangers. "We are a nation that is proud of its many cultures, many languages, many threads. That tartan, each colour, each strand is different, but woven together to something strong, something beautiful, that we are proud of in Scotland." READ MORE: Labour have 'given up' on by-election amid SNP-Reform contest, says John Swinney The Glasgow Pollok MSP also spoke at length about the contributions from and importance of migrants in Scotland and the rest of the UK. 'This country could not survive without immigrants. This continent requires immigration if we are to prosper", he said. 'I ask you, in the 1960s, who drove the buses that kept this city moving? Immigrants. Who kept the factories running when there was labour shortages, like my grandfather, who worked in the Singer Sewing Machine factory in Clydebank? 'It's immigrants today, when our loved ones need care, be that in the NHS or social care system — who is there, propping up our vital public services? Immigrants. 'When the crops need picking, the parcels need delivering, children need teaching, who's ready and willing to put in the hard graft? Immigrants.' The SNP MSP went on to 'bust myths' peddled by anti-immigration rhetoric, noting the significant economic contributions made by migrants through taxes and job creation, as well as highlighting failures of the Tory government in replacing social housing lost through Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme. He added: 'Successive UK governments did that through austerity, through awful financial mismanagement, like Trussonomics, through a lack of political courage. 'So let's bust another myth while we're here: migrants aren't taking your jobs. Migrants are creating your jobs.' Yousaf also criticised Nigel Farage's recent attacks on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, stating that whilst their political views differ, Sarwar 'loves Scotland infinitely more than Nigel Farage'. Yousaf, Anwar and Foyer were joined by Labour councillor Matt Kerr at the sold-out event (Image: Gordon Terris) Regarding the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, he told The National: 'There has never been a more important moment to stand up against the advance of the far-right. 'Scotland, I am afraid, is not immune to the rise of populism, and next Thursday's by-election in Hamilton will be a key moment, where I hope, the good people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will roundly reject the politics of racial division. 'We need to wake up to the fact that Farage's Reform are gaining support. Those of us who are progressive, and believe in inclusive values, need to organise, mobilise and most importantly articulate an alternative vision to what Farage is offering. 'We need to articulate a vision rooted in hope, that is bold, radical and promises to make the lives of the majority better. 'If we do that, then we can stop the rise of the far-right. If not, well, the alternative does not bear thinking about.' READ MORE: Why the UK media 180 on Gaza is too little, too late Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar also gave a speech at the summit, where he criticised First Minister John Swinney and Police Scotland's handling of the recent Kneecap controversies, which saw the Irish rap trio axed from the TRNSMT lineup. Anwar said: 'A message also for John Swinney and Police Scotland over Kneecap: mind your own business. 'Don't tell us what we can listen to. You stopped Kneecap, while only days earlier the police protected fascists on our streets. 'You are punishing Kneecap for speaking out against Israel's genocide in Gaza, but when will you stop the arms trade? When will you hold the politicians who armed the genocide accountable?'
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Homeowners facing bills of £23,000 to deal with RAAC join call for national emergency fund
Homeowners facing bills of £23,000 to deal with RAAC join call for national emergency fund Dozens of properties in the Gower estate in Hirwaun were discovered to have RAAC with 14 of these being privately owned (Image: Wilson Chowdhry ) Homeowners facing bills of around £23,000 to deal with RAAC in their properties have joined calls for a national remediation fund and emergency government support. Residents in Hirwaun who own their properties which are affected by RAAC say they are being left to deal with the issue which was discovered in 77 homes on the Gower estate back in 2024 and at a recent meeting residents joined forces with the UK RAAC campaign group in calling for a national remediation fund and emergency government support. It's in a bid to prevent what the group calls a 'looming disaster that could see families bankrupted or made homeless'. Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight building material used in housing between the 1950s and 1980s and it hit the headlines in 2023 structural issues were identified with it. Of the affected homes in Hirwaun 14 were purchased under the Right to Buy scheme and are now privately owned leaving owners facing five-figure repair bills without financial assistance, the group says. One resident said: 'We're stuck. We can't sell, we can't insure, we can't borrow, and we can't afford to fix the problem. We're being left behind.' Article continues below Campaigners are urging the public to back their petition to the UK Government, which demands a national remediation fund, a public inquiry into the handling of RAAC by councils and housing associations, and legal reforms to protect owners of affected homes. The petition must reach 10,000 signatures by June 17 to receive an official response from the government, the group says. To get all the latest on Welsh politics, health, education and more, sign up to our Wales Matters newsletter. A second petition aimed at the Welsh Government will also be launched specifically demanding financial support and long-term solutions for affected residents in Hirwaun. At the recent meeting residents discussed forming a constituted Welsh group aligned with the UK RAAC Campaign to maintain pressure on both the Welsh and UK Governments. They say the silence from mortgage lenders and insurance companies is exacerbating their fears with many now ineligible for standard insurance products and some fearing they may end up facing threats of repossession. Wilson Chowdhry, who is helping to coordinate the campaign, said: 'This is a national issue and needs a national response. If nothing changes people are going to lose their homes through no fault of their own.' The Welsh Government said: 'We recognise how difficult the situation is for all residents affected by RAAC in both private and social homes on the Gower estate in Hirwaun and the strain this is having on them. 'We are working closely with both the local authority and Trivallis to continue to monitor the situation and would strongly encourage all homeowners to undertake surveys to identify the extent of the RAAC within their homes before contacting Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council who stand ready to support them.' Building safety is devolved to the Welsh Government and a national remediation fund for homeowners affected by RAAC is not under consideration by the UK Government. Article continues below The UK Parliament petition can be seen here.
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Local councils need to take back control of building houses
I've been writing about the housing crisis for nearly three years, and one theme has remained constant: a generational divide between those who own homes and those locked out of the market, including yours truly. But recent developments suggest the Government now aims to align both groups in shared sacrifice. The Sunday Independent recently reported planning rules would be relaxed to encourage older people to 'rightsize' into smaller homes. The goal is to free up under-occupied housing stock by having older generations downsize, thus making room for younger families. While this marks a shift from the tired 'supply, supply, supply' mantra, pushing older people from homes they have raised their children and lived in for decades is a controversial solution. It sounds downright cruel. Still, the problem of under-occupation is real. According to the ESRI, more than 80% of people aged 65+ live in homes too large for their current needs. Eurostat defines under-occupied homes as those with more rooms than deemed necessary. In response, the Government has proposed the older persons housing financial contribution scheme which will see seniors sell their homes to local authorities or on the open market and move into smaller accommodation. Some may argue this infringes on private property rights and ignores the emotional attachment one may have to their home. But the State already owns many of these properties so shouldn't it be allowed to reallocate its housing stock in a crisis? Research by entrepreneur Karl Deeter in 2018 found more than 12,000 empty bedrooms in Dublin's council housing, with many four- and five-bedroom homes occupied by just one person. That situation has barely changed since then. So how did we get to a situation where elderly people live alone in large houses while young renters pay €2,000 a month for one-bed apartments with the kitchen beside the bed, while some families are forced to raise their children in a hotel? Simply put, the State, more specifically local councils, have ceased providing housing. Ireland once built vast numbers of council homes, even when the country was far poorer than it is today. The 1922 Million Pound Scheme provided grants for local authorities to build thousands of homes. In the 1930s, Fianna Fáil backed similar efforts, resulting in more than 100,000 social homes by the mid-1950s. These estates were well-planned and built with families in mind — three bedrooms, gardens, and solid design by renowned architects like Herbert Simms. Crucially, and relevant within the current context, when a tenant died, councils simply reallocated the home to another family. No one was evicted; no one was downsized. But, over time, the shift away from localised provision of housing shifted to centralised property allocation, reliant on market forces. In 1966, Ireland implemented its own version of Margaret Thatcher's 'Right to Buy', allowing council tenants to purchase their homes. By the early 1970s, homeownership had surged to 68%, and two-thirds of council homes became private without being replaced. By the 1980s, local authorities were disempowered. Fianna Fáil gutted housing budgets, abolished grants, and left councils without the means to build. Meanwhile, banks were deregulated and allowed to flood the market with cheap credit. The result was a boom in speculative development and buy-to-let landlords. Even at the peak of the Celtic Tiger boom in 2006 with the construction of 90,000 homes, just 6% were social housing. Piecemeal efforts to actually build social and affordable housing was done via so-called Part V planning regulations, which mandated 20% of zoned land for private development had to encompass social or affordable housing, which prolonged the time low-income people acquired homes, contextualising current long waiting lists. The stalled housing regeneration project on Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeney. Councils are severely under-resourced. They lack not only funds but also planners and tradespeople. Picture: Larry Cummins After the crash, things worsened. Instead of rebuilding the social housing system, the State leaned on private landlords. In December 2010, Fianna Fáil's junior housing minister Michael Finneran noted this policy overhaul when he stated the government would reduce 'reliance on construction and acquisition… to allow for a greater role for the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing' which, he claimed would, 'offer the most effective and efficient response to market realities and housing need'. In time, the Rental Accommodation Scheme and later Housing Assistance Payment (Hap) would cost taxpayers €1bn a year. Before this shift in 2014, rents were half their current price. Now, as the crisis deepens, the Government is proposing moving elderly people from their homes to make space. But doing so risks worsening intergenerational resentment. Rather than risking worsening social cohesion, councils need to be equipped with the tools necessary for housing delivery. UCC political scientist Theresa Reidy noted in 2018 that just 7% of public spending in Ireland is controlled by local authorities. In contrast, local governments in the past were the backbone of housing provision. According to Dr Lorcan Sirr of TUD, councils could build rural homes for under €300,000 — far cheaper than private developments costing up to €900,000. He argues decentralising housing provision would allow councils to build homes tailored to local needs, faster and more affordably. But councils are severely under-resourced. They lack not only funds but also planners and tradespeople. Ireland is short 350-400 planners, and many councils rely on private contractors due to a lack of expertise and manpower. There's enough zoned land for over 400,000 homes, yet approval takes years under a burdensome four-stage process. The Housing Commission has called for more resources to address vacancy, currently around 4,400 homes annually. Research by Cillian Doyle at Trinity College shows councils struggle to employ apprentices and skilled workers, relying instead on a slow, costly public procurement process. After the crash, many large firms offering apprenticeships went bust, leaving a skills vacuum now filled by financially strained small builders. Doyle has argued local authorities could be crucial in filling current shortages by guaranteeing a minimum number of places with specific criteria based on the number of homes needed in each local area. If the housing crisis is to be ameliorated, policymakers must restore local councils as central players in housing provision. They understand their communities better than detached officials in the Custom House and the Office of the Planning Regulator. They have the land but need the resources. Encouraging downsizing among the elderly may make statistical sense, but it is morally questionable. We cannot fix a housing crisis by forcing or incentivising people out of their homes. We must build publicly, locally, affordably, and at scale to meet the needs of local communities.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rayner triggers record year for Right to Buy
Right to Buy applications are projected to reach a two-decade high ahead of Labour's dramatic overhaul of the scheme, analysis suggests. The number of council tenants using Right to Buy will rocket by 162pc, with 18,500 homes changing hands in 2025-26, according to local authority predictions. But experts warned the surge would effectively undermine Angela Rayner's home building ambitions. She previously pledged to build 18,000 new social homes by 2029. Right to Buy, a flagship policy of Margaret Thatcher, allows tenants who have lived in a council property for three years or more to purchase it from their local authority at a discounted rate. The requirement will rise to 10 years under reforms led by Ms Rayner, the Housing Secretary, who benefited from the Right to Buy scheme herself. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, also cut the maximum discount available from £136,000 to £16,000 in most London boroughs and from £102,000 to £38,000 outside the capital. The decision was announced in her maiden Budget in October. Analysis by the i newspaper found councils in some areas had seen applications for the scheme double following the announcement. Overall, councils predicted 18,500 homes would be sold off in the next year. It amounts to the highest number of Right to Buy homes being sold in a single year than any other time in the last two decades. Dr Samuel Hughes, of the Centre for Policy Studies think tank, warned that the Government's reforms would make it 'unaffordable for any but the richest tenants to take advantage of the scheme'. He said: 'It is not surprising that many are racing to buy their homes now, before they are taken out of reach.' The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, warned that the spike in Right to Buy applications 'will further exacerbate the homelessness challenges that councils are working hard to address'. The trade body maintained that the reforms were 'a step in the right direction' but urged the Government to ensure the scheme was fit for purpose. A spokesman said: 'The Government announcement that Right to Buy discounts were to be reduced appeared to lead to a significant increase in the number of Right to Buy applications made by social housing tenants ahead of the reductions taking effect. 'Whilst there will be positive longer-term benefits of the discount levels in stemming the continued loss of stock, the short-term impact is a spike in the sale of desperately needed social homes.' The Housing Department is spending £800m a year on its Affordable Homes Programme, and earmarked a further £2bn down payment in March's spending review. A government spokesman said: 'Too many social homes have been sold off before they can be replaced, which has directly contributed to the worst housing crisis in living memory. 'This government has delivered on its manifesto commitment to reviewing the increased discounts introduced in 2012, and our reforms will reverse this decline and deliver a fairer scheme by supporting councils to retain the receipts to rebuild their housing stock, while retaining a route for longstanding tenants to own their own homes.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
