Clackmannanshire Council has welcomed the announcement that Scotland's 'right to buy' scheme is to be abolished.

On Wednesday, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the right of council tenants to buy the homes they rent at discounted rates is to stop in 2017.

It is already scrapped for new tenants since 2011.

Housing, Health and Care Convener Councillor Les Sharp said: "There is a national shortage of homes for rent, particularly social housing, so this announcement has to be welcomed. Right to Buy has reduced the number of homes available for affordable rent and increased the waiting lists for properties of this type.

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"This Council has recently approved a number of ventures aimed at delivering new housing, demonstrating our commitment to increasing the number of houses available for rent in our communities.

"In 2012 this Council supported the development of new mid rent housing in Coalsnaughton through the National Housing Trust initiative. The Council has also supported the Empty Homes Initiative aimed at tackling empty private properties in town centres and we announced plans to launch a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme earlier this year.

"New tenants recently moved into the new council houses in Alva and Tullibody and we have advanced plans to use our own Council land to deliver further affordable housing.

"Increasing the number of affordable homes available to rent and buy is a priority for the Council and this latest announcement by the Government, complements the steps we are taking."

(JP/MH)