Government announces delay to housing strategy publication

The Government had set itself a target of the end of October to publish a housing strategy that set out the Government's overall approach to housing policy, but it has missed its target.

The Government had planned to identify how it would support an increase in the supply and quality of new private and social housing and how it would help those seeking a home of their own, whether to rent or buy.

However, the October update showed that this target has been delayed and cited external delays outside the Department's control as the reason

"Slight delay in publication agreed with No10 and Deputy Prime Minister's advisors, to allow further work on Right To Buy following announcement at conference,” the update said.

The Government has also missed its target to produce material on empty homes, which was supposed to be included as a section in the overall strategy.

Both documents will now be published together with a new target date of the autumn. "The document will be published this autumn, and will include the Right to Buy announcement made during the party conference season,” the update said.

The 'Right To Buy' announced, on which the delay has been blamed, was introduced at the Conservative Party conference at the beginning of October. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he would revive the scheme and make it a better option for council tenants.