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Your weekly London local government update

29 Jan 25

Right to Buy reform and Social 
Housing supply in London

With the government consulting on proposed reforms to the Right to Buy scheme, London Councils says that reforming the Right to Buy could help “lay the foundations” of a better future for social housing in the capital."

The latest data ( [link removed] ) released by government shows 336,366 households on London local authority waiting lists for social housing in 2024 - the highest figure for more than a decade, and a 32% increase since 2014.

London Councils is calling for Right to Buy policy to be
devolved to a local level. More than 316,000 council homes have been sold in London since the Right to Buy was introduced in 1980. Boroughs want to build new affordable homes to replace these properties, but strict government rules on the use of Right to Buy sales receipts were in place for many years.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, Cllr Grace Williams ( [link removed] ),  said: “While [Right to Buy] has brought benefits to many Londoners, it has also driven a depletion in London’s social housing stock. The figure of 316,000 council homes sold in London is startlingly close to the figure of 330,000 households stuck on social housing waiting lists in the capital. In the context of London’s worsening homelessness emergency and desperate need for affordable housing, boosting the number of homes for social rent must now be the priority.

“Giving councils control over Right to Buy means we can ensure the scheme suits local needs. We’ve already seen positive changes to empower local authorities, with boroughs now able to retain 100% of Right to Buy receipts so that every penny raised from a council house sale can go towards building a replacement home. We look forward to working with the government on further reforms to Right to Buy so we can achieve our shared goals of delivering more affordable housing and reducing homelessness.”

Homelessness costs 'pushing boroughs to the brink'

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee ( [link removed] ), which examines the value for money of government projects, programmes and service delivery, has warned that councils across England are at “breaking point” as they “haemorrhage funds” to cover the rising costs of housing families in temporary accommodation.

Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive  ( [link removed] )
Member for Housing & Regeneration ( [link removed] ), said: "Temporary accommodation is the fastest-rising threat to London boroughs’ finances as the costs we face are simply unsustainable.

“Boroughs support the committee’s call for urgent policy 
action to reduce homelessness. We are keen to work with the government on a national strategy that addresses the unfolding emergency in the capital.”

Met Police taken out of special measures 

Responding to news from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that the Metropolitan Police is now out of enhanced monitoring, Cllr Muhammed Butt, London Councils' Executive Member for Community and Safety ( [link removed] ), said: "This announcement is a clear step in the right direction towards addressing the challenges raised in the Baroness Casey Review into standards of behaviour and internal culture within the Met.

"Londoners deserve a police service that is fit for this world-leading city and able to serve our diverse communities. There is still a long way to go to address the serious challenges identified by Baroness Casey and felt by Londoners, and we hope the Met continues to build on this progress so far.”

Grants Programme 2026-2030

London Councils is inviting London-based voluntary and community, and not-for-profit organisations with expertise in combatting homelessness and/or tackling domestic and sexual abuse, to attend a market warming event for the Pan-London Grants Programme 2026-2030.

Attendees will hear an outline of the services London Councils is considering commissioning for the 2026-2030 programme and will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer expert advice.

There are two separate sessions taking place on Tuesday 11 February and on Friday 14 February. Please only register for the session you wish to attend.

Further details and registation:
Tuesday 11 February, 15.30 -17.00 ( [link removed] )
Friday 14 February, 15.30 - 17.00 ( [link removed] )

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In the news this week...

Council housing waiting lists hit record high
BBC Radio London ( [link removed] )

Right to Buy: London Councils push for reforms to combat 'desperate need for affordable housing'
The Standard ( [link removed] )

Homelessness costs ‘pushing boroughs to brink’
LondonLovesBusiness ( [link removed] )

DWP told to justify freezing housing benefit amid surging homelessness and skyrocketing rents
The Big Issue ( [link removed] )

'Direct investment and more power to councils’: sector responds to Right to Buy consultation
Inside Housing ( [link removed] )

Appointment

Dr Usman Khan has been appointed as the new regional Director of Improvement, 
Transformation and Partnerships for the NHS in London.

The role, which is a joint appointment between the NHS, the Greater London Authority and London Councils, is central to how the health and care system in the capital works in a joined-up way to deliver high quality care and outcomes.Responding to this announcement,

Yolande Burgess, Strategy Director: Health and Prevention at London Councils ( [link removed] ), said:  This joint appointment signals we collectively recognise that the only way we are going to become a healthier city and improve the health and care services that so many Londoners rely on, is by working together.”

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