When can we expect the housing Bill to be published? Among other things, it will introduce provisions to deal with the increasing numbers on housing waiting lists, particularly in urban areas. It will also introduce measures to deal with local authority tenants who are keen to acquire the property in which they are resident. In many cases, if they were in a position to purchase the properties, they would pay less than the rent they are paying to local authorities. Given that capital values have fallen, there is an opportunity for local authority tenants to acquire their properties and they are most interested in doing so. It would raise much needed finance for local authorities.

The Bill is scheduled for publication in May.