John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Housing and Planning, responding to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee report on the Government’s extension of Right to Buy, said:

“This cross-party report is an influential critique at an important stage in the Housing Bill’s passage through Parliament. It confirms what Labour has been saying from the start – that this legislation will lead to a huge loss of affordable rented homes across the country.

“This unanimous cross-party report confirms there’s criticism of the Housing Bill from across the political spectrum. First the Conservative-led Local Government Association voiced serious concerns; now Conservative MPs are adding their voice to urge a change of course. It’s clear Ministers are losing the arguments with their own side.

“Government policies should be funded by Government, not a cash-grab from councils forced to sell off their own housing to pay for right-to-buy discounts. Unless the legislation is changed, Minsters will force cash-strapped councils to pay for their pet policy project.

“Ministers must now take this report as a wise warning, re-think their plans and drop the Chancellor’s levy on councils to fund their right-to-buy programme.”