Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has welcomed the Social Housing Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons, saying the legislation will protect existing social rented homes, strengthen tenants’ rights and give providers greater confidence to build more affordable housing.
The Bill, which implements a number of Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments, is designed to deliver what the Government has described as a “decade of renewal” for social and affordable housing. It passed its Commons Second Reading this week after MPs rejected a reasoned amendment by 292 votes to 77.
Pennycook said:
“Our Social Housing Bill radically reforms the Right to Buy to protect precious social rented homes and incentivise the building of more of them.”
He added that the legislation would create “a fairer tenancy system” and give social housing providers the certainty they need to invest in new homes.
Right to Buy overhaul
One of the most significant elements of the Bill is a major reform of the Right to Buy system.
The Government has argued that decades of discounted sales contributed to a substantial reduction in England’s stock of council and social rented housing, with too few replacements built.
Among the reforms already announced is an increase in the minimum period a tenant must live in social housing before becoming eligible for Right to Buy, from three years to ten. The Government says the changes will allow councils to better protect and rebuild their housing stock while retaining a route into home ownership for longstanding tenants.
The wider Bill is intended to protect “much-needed social housing stock” while encouraging councils and housing associations to invest in new supply.
Stronger protection for domestic abuse survivors
The legislation also includes important changes for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
Under the proposals, social landlords and courts will have stronger powers to remove perpetrators from social homes without forcing the victim to leave first.
The Government says the measure is intended to give survivors greater security and help people remain safely within their communities rather than face losing their home because of abuse.
Pennycook said the Bill:
“Creates a fairer tenancy system with greater protections for tenants who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse.”
Giving providers confidence to build
The Bill sits alongside Labour’s wider programme to increase social and affordable housebuilding.
The Government says greater certainty over rents, regulation and the future of Right to Buy will make it easier for councils and housing associations to plan long-term investment.
Official guidance says the legislation is intended to give affordable housing providers “the clarity and confidence they need to build more social homes”.
That objective is backed by the Government’s previously announced £39 billion investment programme for social and affordable housing.
Labour puts social housing back at centre of housing policy
The legislation marks a significant shift in the direction of national housing policy, with Labour seeking both to increase construction and prevent the continuing loss of existing social rented homes.
For Pennycook, the Bill is intended to tackle both sides of the housing challenge: safeguarding homes that already exist while giving councils and housing associations stronger foundations on which to build new ones.
Its passage through Second Reading brings Labour a step closer to reshaping Right to Buy, strengthening protections for tenants and rebuilding England’s social housing stock after decades of decline.
