[ZenoArrow]

Isn't part of the problem that a high number of council houses got sold into the private market, and haven't truly been replaced?

[pjc50]

This is also part of the problem.

It's of a piece with the other 80s privatisations: rather than provide services by the state, move them into the private sector (but still paid for by the state), guaranteeing profits to the purchasers.