William Eichler 14 October 2025

Right to Buy leaves councils thousands of homes short

Right to Buy leaves councils thousands of homes short image
© Clare Louise Jackson / Shutterstock.com.

An investigation by The Big Issue has revealed the lasting impact of the Right to Buy scheme on England’s social housing stock.

Over the past five years, 53 councils sold 20,836 homes under the scheme, raising £2.25bn. However, they spent nearly the same amount—£2.12bn—buying back just 8,590 properties.

Over half of the repurchased homes had previously been sold under the scheme, leaving councils with a net loss of 12,246 properties, according to the research.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

SEND Operations Coordinator

Essex County Council
£29512.0000 - £34720.0000 per annum
SEND Operations CoordinatorFixed Term, Full Time£29,512 to £34,720 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Workforce Coordinator - Essex Shared Lives

Essex County Council
£28115.0000 - £33076.0000 per annum
Workforce Coordinator - Essex Shared LivesPermanent, Full Time£28,115 to £33,076 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Youth Work Team Leader - Hospital Project

Essex County Council
£26924.0000 - £29644.0000 per annum
Youth Work Team Leader - Hospital ProjectFixed Term, Full Time£26,924 - £29,644 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Community Project Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £36,581 - £40,444
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Community Project Coordinator to help deliver the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe Strategic Heritage Pla Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Building Control Officer

Durham County Council
Career Graded 7-11 - G7 £31,015 - £34,811 / G8 £33,673 - £37,563 / G9 £36,581 - £40,444 / G10 £39.481 - £43,149 / G11 £42,123 - £46,579
Join our Building Control team and play a key role in delivering a high-quality Building Regulation service. Working alongside customers, developers, Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner