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Housing plans set to be unveiled Housing plans set to be unveiled
(40 minutes later)
A report on the future of council housing is expected to recommend ways of creating more mixed communities to tackle inner-city deprivation.A report on the future of council housing is expected to recommend ways of creating more mixed communities to tackle inner-city deprivation.
The government-commissioned review, by John Hills of the London School of Economics, aims to help prevent people becoming trapped living on estates.The government-commissioned review, by John Hills of the London School of Economics, aims to help prevent people becoming trapped living on estates.
But supporters of council houses fear tenants will face an uncertain future.But supporters of council houses fear tenants will face an uncertain future.
The government insisted there were "no plans" to end the role of social housing as a "safety net".The government insisted there were "no plans" to end the role of social housing as a "safety net".
About five million UK households rented from local authorities or registered landlords, but the government says it wants to expand the opportunity of home ownership to more people. About five million UK households rent from local authorities or registered landlords, but the government says it wants to expand the opportunity of home ownership to more people.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told the BBC: "It's very very clear to me that we could do more for social tenants who are currently in their own homes."Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told the BBC: "It's very very clear to me that we could do more for social tenants who are currently in their own homes."
Earlier this month, she proposed that social housing tenants could be helped to get on the property ladder by reducing the minimum stake they can buy from 25% to 10%.Earlier this month, she proposed that social housing tenants could be helped to get on the property ladder by reducing the minimum stake they can buy from 25% to 10%.
There was a need to "accelerate the pace of improvement", Ms Kelly added.There was a need to "accelerate the pace of improvement", Ms Kelly added.
But the Conservatives said the current system for selling council homes to tenants was "needlessly bureaucratic".But the Conservatives said the current system for selling council homes to tenants was "needlessly bureaucratic".
Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Talk of time-limits and means-testing for social housing tenants would not be an issue if the government stuck to its guns and devolved greater powers over housing to local councils and local people."Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Talk of time-limits and means-testing for social housing tenants would not be an issue if the government stuck to its guns and devolved greater powers over housing to local councils and local people."
A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Social housing provides a vital safety net for some of the most vulnerable in society - there are no plans to change this."A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Social housing provides a vital safety net for some of the most vulnerable in society - there are no plans to change this."