Politicians back Welsh drive to control right to buy

The Welsh Assembly Government is looking to get powers transferred from Westminster that would allow it to suspend the right to buy in areas where there is a shortage of housing, and give it more authority over the regulation of social landlords and tackling homelessness.

Deputy housing minister Jocelyn Davies laid the legislative competence order - which the Welsh government must draft to ask for powers from the UK government – before the assembly at the end of last year.

A National Assembly legislation committee has now approved the plans.

Committee chair Val Lloyd said: ‘Good quality affordable housing is an essential part of living a fulfilling life.

‘That’s why we, as a committee, recognise the importance of the proposed order in providing the assembly with legislative competence relating to social housing and meeting the housing needs of vulnerable people.’

Evidence given to the committee recognised the value of transferring housing powers to the assembly government.

The Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru wrote in its written response, ‘it is appropriate and necessary for the assembly to have legislative competence over the areas for which it has devolved policy responsibility’.

Director of Shelter Cymru John Puzey said: ‘Together with other key players in the Welsh housing and homelessness sector, we have long argued that current legislation does not give the Welsh government the means or flexibility to respond as fully as possible to developments that could have serious implications for how services are delivered in Wales.’

The Welsh affairs committee in Westminster also agreed social housing powers should be devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government last week.

Committee chair Dr Hywel Francis said: ‘Evidence to the committee suggested that there is a demand for comprehensive social housing legislation for Wales which includes the regulation of social housing providers and reform of tenure law.’

The Welsh government originally drafted a bid to control the right to buy in 2007 but it was turned down in June last year.

Parliament was concerned the powers would mean the Welsh government could abolish the right to buy completely.

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