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Rented Housing

It is certainly true in my area that a lot of former council properties are now second homes. My hon. Friend has said that he agrees with the right to buy, but does he agree that rented housing in the intermediate market is also important? We cannot consider one in isolation from the other. It is important that the Government help by enabling shared equity, mutual housing and other means of constructing a new rung on the housing ladder. That will enable them to get into the market without having to make the stratospheric leap that is currently required in many parts of the country.