Farron Aims To 'Neuter' Government Right To Buy Policy

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has tabled amendments designed to 'neuter' the government's flagship 'right to buy' policy.

Tim has tabled a number of amendments to the government's Housing Bill, which will be debated in the Commons on Tuesday. Tim has tabled one amendment to oppose right to Buy altogether. He has also put down a separate amendment according to which a replacement home has to be found before a home is sold off under Right to Buy. This would effectively neuter a scheme Tim believes will hurt low income families and especially rural communities.

Tim said: "The government's 'Right To Buy' scheme is social engineering, pitting different parts of the community against each other and offering incentives to those who might vote Tory whilst ignoring the rest.

"Across South Lakeland, I meet people who simply cannot afford to bring up their family in the area they grew up in. Social housing not only gives these people a home, it also helps to ensure that our communities, particularly rural villages, remain diverse places and not just the preserve of the most wealthy.

"Many low income families which are on the social housing waiting list would see their chances of ever getting a home decrease as the stock of houses is sold off.

"Social Housing is about supporting all members of the community, which is why I am opposing the Conservative's 'Right To Buy' plans which would rip the heart out of housing and lead to segregated communities."