Plans Unveiled to Abolish ‘Right to Buy’ in Wales

The ‘Right to Buy and Right to Aquire’ housing schemes could soon be abolished in Wales.

The plans to scrap Right to Buy and Right to Aquire in Wales were unveiled by the First Minister Carwyn Jones as part of the Welsh Government’s first year legislative priorities.

Plans to abolish the scheme, which allows tenants of council houses and some housing associations the legal right to buy their property at a discount, were outlined earlier this year in the Welsh Labour Manifesto.

Welsh Government say that by abolishing the scheme, the social housing stock in Wales can be safeguarded, ensuring ‘social housing is available to those who need it, and who are unable to access accommodation through home ownership or the private rented sector’.

Speaking about plans to abolish Right to Buy in Wales, Wrexham’s Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths said: “Ms Griffiths added: “Introducing legislation aimed at abolishing the Right to Buy scheme was one of Welsh Labour’s key election pledges and highlights a significant difference in approach between England and Wales.

“Since the introduction of the policy in the early 80s, there has been a 45% reduction in the social housing stock in Wales. With the population and house prices increasing, there is a desperate need for more affordable homes.”

“This decisive move will help ensure vulnerable people who are unable to access accommodation through home ownership or the private rented sector have a better chance of securing a safe, secure and affordable home.”

Also included in the Welsh Government’s first year legislative priorities are two tax bills which will establish the two taxes which will be devolved to Wales in 2018.

These include a land transaction tax, which will replace the current stamp duty land tax (SDLT), and a landfill disposals tax for Wales, which will replace the current landfill tax.

New legislation will also be introduced to repeal sections of the UK Government’s Trade Union Act in devolved areas.

A Public Health Bill will also be unveiled during the first year of the Welsh Government. However unlike its predecessor, the revamped Public Health Bill will not include proposed restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed spaces contained in the Public Health Bill introduced in the last Assembly.

Finally an Additional Learning Needs Bill will provide for a new legal framework for supporting children and young people, aged 0–25, who have additional learning needs, delivering improvements to the services they receive.

Speaking about the priorities laid out by the Welsh Government, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Over the next twelve months, we will introduce legislation that will deliver real improvements for the people of Wales.

“Following the summer recess, we will introduce historic legislation to create the first made-in-Wales taxes in more than 800 years – a significant step for us as a government and for Wales as a nation.

“We will also act to remove the UK Government’s fundamentally harmful reforms to the rights of workers in the public services this Welsh Government is responsible for, and introduce new laws to protect our social housing stock, improve public health, and reform the system for children and young people with additional learning needs.”

Ms Griffiths added: “After a tumultuous week in which the country is still coming to terms with the result of EU referendum, the wide-ranging legislation unveiled by the First Minister demonstrates how the Welsh Government will continue to stand up for people in Wales and protect the nation’s interests.”

“Counteracting controversial UK Government reforms to workers’ rights is vital and initiating historic taxation laws mark an important milestone, granting the Welsh Government increased opportunities to boost the economy.”