Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has challenged Basildon and Thurrock Council to make sure it is
doing everything it can to promote the dramatically increased discounts on
offer through the Right to Buy scheme. His challenge comes in the same week
that new figures were published showing the number of council tenants buying
their homes through the Right to Buy has more than doubled
Launched
in April last year, the new Right to
Buy offers council tenants discounts of up to £75,000 to help
them buy their home. Local councils have a legal duty to inform tenants about
the increased discounts, but there has previously been concern that some
councils have not done everything they can to make tenants aware of the new
opportunities.
The
official figures published this week suggest that progress has been made, but
Mr Metcalfe has now challenged Basildon and Thurrock Council to do even more to
help hardworking people realise their dream of home ownership.
Commenting,
the local MP said: “It’s great news that the number of people buying their own
council home has doubled. After years of Labour running down the Right to Buy,
Conservatives have radically increased the discounts. More and more people are
now taking advantage of this opportunity – real proof that Conservative
policies are helping those people who work hard and want to get on in life.”
The
Conservative led Basildon Council have enabled 127 people to buy their homes
between 2012 and 2013. This is an increase of 71 since 2010-11. Labour led
Thurrock Council are lagging far behind with 46 properties in 2012-13, an
increase of only 36 since 2010-11.
Mr
Metcalfe added: “Basildon Council should now do everything it can to make sure
all its tenants are aware of what this Government is doing to help hardworking
people realise their aspiration of home ownership.”
“Thurrock
Council should stop dragging its feet and start singing from the roof tops
about the new opportunities this Government has made available and tell tenants
about these dramatic new discounts.”
