Angela Rayner gives councils green light to sell off allotments

Labour's Angela Rayner has approved the sale of eight allotment sites in England since the party came to power, according to a report in the Telegraph. 

The move has been branded a "kick in the teeth" to Brits

Angela Rayner has granted councils permission to sell allotments to raise funds in a decision criticised as demonstrating "complete disdain" for "cherished" green spaces.

The Housing Secretary has provided local authorities with "flexibility" to dispose of some of their assets to finance day-to-day expenditure. This encompasses plots tenderly maintained by thousands of Britons nationwide.

Guidance released in March by the Housing Secretary regarding the disposal of council-owned assets encompasses school playing fields.

Local Government Minister Jim McMahon has stated that authorities may utilise proceeds from "qualifying" asset disposals to fund project costs designed to generate savings or reduce service delivery expenses.

He explained the Government anticipated all decisions would demonstrate value for money and serve locals' best interests.

Regarding school playing field disposals, a Government spokesperson previously stated this should only occur where "absolutely necessary". Shadow Housing Secretary, Sir James Cleverly, criticised the Government's changes, stating they showed "complete disdain for protecting valued green spaces".

He added: "Angela Rayner giving the green light for councils to sell off allotments is a kick in the teeth to local people who don't have access to their own gardens.

"Alongside the Labour Government encouraging councils to sell off their playing fields, it yet again demonstrates Labour's lazy embrace of building on parks and green spaces rather than places where homes are needed and wanted."

However, a Government spokesperson defended the decision, stating that councils have been permitted to dispose of certain sites since 2016.

They further commented: "We know how important allotments are for communities and that is why strict criteria are in place to protect them as well as school playing fields."

(2) COUNCIL ALLOTMENTS SELL OFF GOV'T APPROVED - YouTube Sean James Cameron