This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38058402

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Pay to stay' social housing plan dropped 'Pay to stay' social housing plan dropped
(35 minutes later)
Plans to force higher-earning social housing tenants to pay more in rent have been scrapped by the government.Plans to force higher-earning social housing tenants to pay more in rent have been scrapped by the government.
Ministers said they had "listened carefully" and decided not to proceed with the controversial "pay to stay" policy.Ministers said they had "listened carefully" and decided not to proceed with the controversial "pay to stay" policy.
It would have applied to social housing residents in England earning £31,000 or £40,000 in London.It would have applied to social housing residents in England earning £31,000 or £40,000 in London.
Councils and housing associations would be able to decide whether to impose higher rents, the government said.Councils and housing associations would be able to decide whether to impose higher rents, the government said.
The change in policy comes after a public consultation into "pay to stay" in which council leaders and charities criticised the plans. Housing minister Gavin Barwell also confirmed the government would be ending the right of social housing tenants to stay in their homes for life, by introducing compulsory fixed-term tenancies.
In a written statement, Housing Minister Gavin Barwell said the government remained committed to "ensuring social housing is occupied by those who need it most". This will mean tenancies are periodically reviewed "to ensure tenants still need a socially rented home", he said, with councils told to prioritise lower-income households.
He added that the government was exploring other ways to ensure higher-earning tenants "make a greater contribution to costs".
'Subsidising lifestyles''Subsidising lifestyles'
He added: "But we need to do so in a way that supports those ordinary working class families who can struggle to get by, and in a way which delivers real savings to the taxpayer. The change in policy comes after a public consultation into "pay to stay" in which council leaders and charities criticised the plans.
"The policy as previously envisaged did not meet those aims." Under the current rules, social landlords can charge tenants with an income of over £60,000 market or near-market rent.
Under the current rules, social landlords can charge tenants with an income of over £60,000 market or near market rent.
Former Chancellor George Osborne announced a compulsory scheme in his July 2015 Budget, with the government saying it was unfair for hardworking people to be "subsidising the lifestyles of those on higher than average incomes".Former Chancellor George Osborne announced a compulsory scheme in his July 2015 Budget, with the government saying it was unfair for hardworking people to be "subsidising the lifestyles of those on higher than average incomes".
It would have meant local authorities were forced to raise rents with a taper system in place for those earning over £31,000 or £40,000 in London.It would have meant local authorities were forced to raise rents with a taper system in place for those earning over £31,000 or £40,000 in London.
More than 70,000 households were set to be affected by the changes, pushing tenants' annual rent up by more than £1,000 a year on average.More than 70,000 households were set to be affected by the changes, pushing tenants' annual rent up by more than £1,000 a year on average.
In a written statement, Mr Barwell said the government remained committed to "ensuring social housing is occupied by those who need it most".
He added: "But we need to do so in a way that supports those ordinary working class families who can struggle to get by, and in a way which delivers real savings to the taxpayer.
"The policy as previously envisaged did not meet those aims."
'Unworkable''Unworkable'
The Local Government Association was among the organisations warning families could be forced from their homes and unable to stay in the same area if subsidised rents were dropped, with the proposal also facing resistance in the House of Lords.The Local Government Association was among the organisations warning families could be forced from their homes and unable to stay in the same area if subsidised rents were dropped, with the proposal also facing resistance in the House of Lords.
Mr Barwell also confirmed the government would be ending the right of social housing tenants to stay in their homes for life, by introducing compulsory fixed-term tenancies. The LGA said the decision not to enforce a compulsory policy would be a "huge relief to households across the country", saying implementing it would have been "difficult, lengthy and costly".
This will mean tenancies are periodically reviewed "to ensure tenants still need a socially rented home", he said, with councils told to prioritise lower-income households.
He added that the government was exploring other ways to ensure higher-earning tenants "make a greater contribution to costs".
Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Lord Shipley said: "Finally the government have realised their plans to charge people more for their homes were not only unfair, but unworkable."Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Lord Shipley said: "Finally the government have realised their plans to charge people more for their homes were not only unfair, but unworkable."