Local authority leaders have welcomed the Government's affordable housing funding announcement, but called for more powers to deliver social homes in their areas.

A new £11.5bn affordable homes programme will be delivered over five years from 2021 to 2026, providing up to 180,000 new homes across the country.

The investment in affordable housing was originally confirmed at the Budget.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘This government is helping hard-working families and prospective first-time buyers get their feet on the housing ladder in an affordable way.

‘Thanks to the range of flexible ownership options being made available, more families across the country will be able to realise their dreams of owning their own home, with half of these homes being made available for ownership.'

Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association's housing spokesperson, welcomed the announcement but called for more ‘powers and tools' to help councils deliver social housing, such as allowing councils to keep Right to Buy keep receipts in full.