She believed ending the scheme allowed councils and housing associations to better plan and invest in their existing stock without the risk of it being sold off at a discount. ⚖️ Contrasting Perspectives
Some recent studies (un-peer-reviewed) have suggested that the original RTB scheme contributed to long-term educational and economic gains for families, sparking new debates about the trade-offs of Sturgeon’s decision. 'Right to buy' to be scrapped in Scotland - BBC News nicola sturgeon right to buy
In Scotland, the Right to Buy scheme—a hallmark of Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s housing policy—officially ended on July 31, 2016. Nicola Sturgeon , then First Minister, was the primary architect of its demise, describing the decision as a vital step to "safeguard social housing stock for future generations". 🏠 The End of an Era She believed ending the scheme allowed councils and
Sturgeon announced the final stage of abolition, arguing that the social sector could "no longer afford" to lose badly needed homes. Nicola Sturgeon , then First Minister, was the
While Sturgeon hailed the abolition as one of her "proudest achievements", the move was—and remains—highly polarized.
Organizations like Shelter Scotland and various housing associations welcomed the move, noting that it halted the "drain on supply".
The scheme officially closed to all remaining social housing tenants in Scotland on July 31, 2016. 💡 Sturgeon’s Rationale