The local government association has commented that the right to buy scheme may be unsustainable unless discounts can be dictated at local level. They have also commented that existing stock should be replaced on a like for like basis after a right to buy sale. The right to buy scheme was a flagship policy of Margaret Thatcher’s government of the early 80’s. Under the scheme council tenants could apply to buy their council houses with hefty discounts applied. The local government association claim that only approx. 20% of the housing stock sold since 2012 has been replaced. The association is lobbying the government to amend or scrap the cap on what local councils can spend on new housing stock.