Sir - As someone who once worked for a project run by Shelter the topic of housing is close to my heart and we are all aware that housing is a huge issue. . .

Hence I am not surprised that the announcement of the Conservative plan to sell social housing at large discounts has been described by nationally known economist Louise Cooper as an 'outright bribe' to the voters and condemned by David Orr of the National Housing Federation.

In the faithful city the largest social landlord Fortis Living is engaged in a significant upgrade and expansion of stock at considerable cost and much needed locally.

How can it be right to undermine the investment of such social landlords and whip the rug from under those waiting for a property by almost giving existing stock away to tenants of as little as three years.

Since the 1980s only a fraction of sold off social housing has been replaced whilst the demand increases and the state foots an ever bigger bill in housing benefit for expensive (and largely unregulated) private rents.

Also what about private renters ? Nothing is done for them. And then the greatest contradiction of all can be seen by contrasting the sordid policy known as the bedroom tax which has tormented many and driven them into debt and foodbanks and away from the homes where their children grew up, with this 'giveaway' subsidy to tenants of just 3 years duration .

We are told that housing benefit should not pay for a spare room and this would urge downsizing to free up 'much needed' properties for larger households. So how now is it that the public should pay (through the effect of enormous discounts) for a tenant to acquire a home in which they have lived for just 3 years ?

Is that the Conservative way of helping those stuck in overcrowded housing or on the list for social housing ?

Housing shortages, extortionate private rents and a generation of adults who may end up stuck in their parental home for years is a national disgrace. These are real lives and not about monopoly money and lego bricks .

This concerns real people and a precious public resource. It is immoral and unethical to make the misery even worse, as well as create resentment amongst the large population of private renters who already subject to far higher rents than social tenants with far less protection and no hope of ever buying their tenancy at a great discount. Shameful

Andrew Brown

WORCESTER