Committee ‘disappointed’ with housing minister’s answers

The chairman of a cross-party group of MPs has written to the housing minister, expressing his disappointment after he appeared in front of his committee last week.

Housing minister Christopher Pincher appeared in front of the housing, communities and local government committee, as part of its ongoing inquiry into social and affordable rented housing.

As previously reported by New Start, Mr Pincher made several claims during the session, including that the Right to Buy scheme has led to an ‘increase in the housing stock’ with one-for-one replacements.

In his letter to Mr Pincher, committee chair Clive Betts it was ‘disappointed with the way you answered a number of questions we put to you’.

‘I am sure you agree it is important for the committee to hear full answers from government ministers about these policies and actions, so that we can write a balanced report,’ the letter states.

‘In that spirit, we give you a further opportunity to provide supplementary evidence.’

The letter brings up a number of points, including Mr Pincher’s claim that Right to Buy had resulted in a 20,000 net gain to council housing stocks.

‘We are unclear of the source of these statistics, given that, since 2010, MHCLG statistics show that 114,341 homes have been sold through Right to Buy,’ the letter adds.

‘120,000 sales would place the time period somewhere in 2007-08. Furthermore, while around 140,000 social rent homes have been built since 2010, this is not a net figure – it does not factor in conversions or demolitions of existing stock. So, a net gain of 20,000 is not assured.

‘Tracey Waltho (director general, housing and building safety -NS) stated only proportion of the receipt of Right to Buy sales contribute to these 140,000 homes built, but did not have the information to hand.

‘Can you provide a full note on many of the 140,000 social rent homes provided since 2010 have been built as a direct result of Right to Buy receipts? What percentage of funding was provided to Right to Buy receipts, compared to grant funding, public borrowing and other funding streams?’

Last week, New Start asked the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to clarify the minister’s comments.

‘The government is committed to Right to Buy, which has helped nearly two million council tenants  realise their dream of home ownership,’ said a spokesman in a statement.

‘Since 2010, more than one new social rent home has been delivered for every home sold under the Right to Buy.’

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