Almost 40,000 new homeowners have been created in the last three years under the Right To Buy scheme, new figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government have revealed.

The department said the figures are further evidence of how government-led efforts to support hard-working aspiring homeowners are working.

The figures also show that 3,644 new starts and acquisitions have been made since the Right to Buy was reinvigorated in 2012.

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This means that the 3,054 additional homes sold in the first year of the scheme are already being replaced on a one-for-one basis nationally.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: "For years, the discounts available under the Right to Buy were left to dwindle, denying thousands of people the opportunity to own their own home.

"This reinvigorated scheme has turned that around, and means nearly 40,000 people have been able to buy the home they love – many of whom might otherwise never have had the chance to become homeowners.

"On top of that, it's getting homes built, with councils replacing the additional homes sold on a one-for-one basis."

(MH/LM)