UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Deputy PM Angela Rayner’s plan to tighten right-to-buy rules sparks backlash, with critics calling it hypocritical and anti-aspiration.
As reported by The Telegraph, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced significant cuts to right-to-buy discounts for council tenants.
She confirmed that council tenants will now need 10 years of residency, up from three, to qualify for the right-to-buy scheme.
Kevin Hollinrake’s views on Angela Rayner’s housing reforms
Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake branded Angela Rayner a “hypocrite” for cutting the right-to-buy despite previously benefiting from the scheme.
He said,
“Today, Labour has chosen to quietly bury bad news, slipping out a policy that slashes right-to-buy eligibility and discounts. This is nothing short of an attack on aspiration. Labour is turning its back on the very families who work hard and want a stake in their future.”
Mr Hollinrake stated,
“For decades, the right to buy has helped millions take their first step onto the housing ladder. Now, this Government is making it harder than ever to own a home. It is increasingly clear that the only guaranteed route to housing in this country is to arrive on a small boat,” adding, “And the hypocrisy is staggering. Angela Rayner has personally benefited from the right to buy. Yet under her party’s watch, that opportunity is being stripped away from others. Labour’s message to aspiring homeowners is clear.”
Housing Department views on the Right to Buy
The Department for Housing, led by Angela Rayner, says it will propose new laws to extend right-to-buy eligibility from three to 10 years.
They said the policy aims to help councils rebuild housing and limit access to tenants with a long history of paying rent.
How did Labour plan to protect council housing?
Under the new rules, previous right-to-buy users and current property owners will be barred from reapplying, except in cases such as domestic violence.
To support long-term investment, newly built affordable housing will be protected from the right to buy for 35 years under the new rules.
Labour pledged to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament, with a large portion set to be social and affordable housing.
How did Angela Rayner benefit from the right to buy before cutting it?
Angela Rayner bought her council home in Greater Manchester in 2007 for £79,000, securing a 25% right-to-buy discount.
She later sold it for £48,500 more than the original price.
Right to buy law
- Right to Buy allows tenants to purchase council homes.
- Tenants must live there for at least 3 years.
- Discount rises the longer they’ve rented.
- Labour aims to change this minimum period.
- The highest discount now is £102k (England), £136k (London).
- In Nov 2021, caps dropped to £16k–£38k.
What did Angela Rayner say about becoming PM and Keir Starmer’s?
Angela Rayner dismissed the idea of becoming prime minister, joking that the stress would age her “by 10 years within six months.”
The deputy prime minister joked,
“Have you ever seen a prime minister after a year or two in government?”
She said,
“It would age me by 10 years within six months, it does, anyone who has been prime minister, it is a very challenging job.”
Referring to PM Keir Starmer, Ms Rayner added,
“He’s been all around the world trying to repair the relationships in Europe. We’ve got the trade deals that the previous government wasn’t able to do, tackling things like the tariffs that the president in the US wanted to put on the UK, which would have damaged our economy again. There’s a lot going on, and the prime minister’s been […] here, there and everywhere, doing the job for Britain.”