ANDREW Davidson is right when he says the government plans to sell-off social houses to tenants is wrong.
Thatcher was wrong to introduce the Right-to-Buy scheme for tenants, and the Blair and Brown governments were an absolute disgrace not to withdraw it.
I read a while back that a study had found that 80,000 social houses could be built every year, for half the cost of Housing Benefit.
When will governments wise-up and realise that by building social houses to meet demand — and not selling them off — tenants could be housed far more cheaply than having to rent from private landlords, and as a consequence, the cost of Housing Benefit would be reduced substantially. More importantly, there wouldn't be millions waiting for social houses.
Brian Derbyshire
Ribchester Grove
Bolton
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here