John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Housing and Planning, commenting on the Government’s move to impose new maximum tenancies of five years for council tenants, said:

“People will be astonished that Ministers are legislating to deny families a stable home. This will cause worry and upheaval for tenants, and break up communities.

“Councils are already able to decide on the length of tenancy they want to offer according to local needs. Margaret Thatcher passed the law to give council tenants secure tenancies which David Cameron is now tearing up. This generation of Tory Ministers seem to have a vendetta against council tenants and council homes.

“There are already 32 new powers for the secretary of state in this Housing Bill. Once again the government is determined to override local decisions and impose the worst aspects of the private rented sector on social tenants – less affordable rents and now less secure tenancies.”