Dispossession - The Great Social Housing Swindle

Released: 23rd October 2017. Maxine Peake narrates this documentary which focuses on the UK's failed housing policy. The film traces the root of the current social housing crisis back to the introduction of the Right to Buy scheme implemented by Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives in the 1970s. It argues that this led to a lack of affordable social housing in many areas of the UK whilst many local authorities also began to sell some of its buildings which were in turn either bought and rented out by private landlords or sold to private property developers to be turned into unaffordable housing. The film explores the resultant lack of accessibility to quality, affordable housing for many and the effect this has on people's lives.