Figures released by Shelter show that the Government's planned intervention to scale back the amount of social housing in the country will have a massive effect on St Albans.

Only Kensington and Chelsea (97.1%) and Westminster (76.2%) will have to sell off a higher proportion of their homes than St Albans (59.6%) to fund the Government's decision to extend right to buy to housing associations.

Lib Dem group leader Chris White said: 'The council looks set to be selling off 85 new homes a year once the legislation becomes law - homes that housing associations will struggle to replace within even two or three years.

'So every year the amount of affordable housing in St Albans will go down - turning our current problems into a crisis.'

He added: 'I urge the Conservative administration in the district to take this up with their pals in Government - otherwise people in St Albans will rapidly get the message that the Government is out to get them.'