Prospective Runcorn MP Graham Evans demands Right to Buy on the Politics Show on the BBC

Dec 3 2009 Chester Chronicle

Prospective Runcorn MP Graham Evans demands Right to Buy on the Politics Show on the BBC

A PROSPECTIVE Weaver Vale MP spoke of his pride at appearing on The Politics Show for the first time.

Conservative candidate Graham Evans featured on the panel alongside Manchester Labour MP Graham Stringer on the flagship BBC programme on Sunday to discuss the implications of the Government’s Right To Buy scheme.

The scheme is intended to help as many people as possible to buy their own council homes at a reduced rate.

The Weaver Vale politician stated his belief that the Government has made politically-motivated cuts to council tenants’ rights to buy their home.

Mr Evans claimed Right to Buy discounts have plummeted and as a result the opportunity for residents on lower incomes to buy their council homes has been increasingly denied.

He said: “It was great to be invited on to such an important show to discuss an issue that effects many people.

“Traditionally, the Right to Buy makes it easier for residents to get on to the housing ladder.

“An estimated 2.5 million social tenants have benefited from the Right to Buy across the UK since 1980.

“But class war cuts to Right to Buy have kicked away the housing ladder.”

He added: “New figures from Parliamentary Questions have revealed that, since 1998, the average Right to Buy discount in England has risen only from £22,880 to £25,340.

“As a result, the average discount as a percentage of the market value has plummeted from 50% of the house price to 24%.

“My parents lived on a council estate and opted to buy their home in 1972 and I want to see as many people as possible get the opportunity to do the same today.”