Government figures show a sharp rise in Right to Buy sales, with eligible council home purchases up 90% year-on-year to 14,275 in 2025-26. The increase is linked to applicants rushing to secure higher discounts before a reduction, while the government is also progressing reforms to tighten eligibility and protect social housing stock.
The government has allocated nearly £10 billion from its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 33 strategic partners, including councils and housing associations, to support delivery of 73,600 homes over the next 10 years. The package also includes funding to strengthen local authority capacity and expand planning-related training, with RICS welcoming the emphasis on professional skills across surveying, valuation and development.
The government is proposing to give elected regional mayors greater powers over large-scale planning applications, including the ability to call in decisions on major housing, commercial and tall-building schemes. The move is intended to speed up delivery of new homes and regeneration, but it has prompted concerns about local knowledge, greenfield development and the potential for public distrust or corruption allegations.
