THE Tories’ housing Bill was unveiled yesterday, with politicians and campaigners warning that it would worsen the crisis of affordable housing.

Publication of the Housing and Planning Bill confirmed that ministers plan to introduce a “pay-to-stay” scheme.

Such a scheme would force families living in social housing and earning a total of £30,000 — £40,000 in London — to pay rents nearly as high as those in the private sector.

The Tories’ flagship policy attracted much criticism, with Labour London Assembly Member Tom Copley branding it “another nail in the coffin of genuinely affordable housing.”

A new plan to invest in constructing homes exclusively for first-time buyers also came under scrutiny, as many believed it would lead to new builds being mostly outside areas in need.

Reacting to the Bill, Joseph Rowntree Foundation chief executive Julia Unwin said: “The government cannot end the housing crisis through a focus on home ownership alone.

“While increasing the number of starter homes will help some young buyers onto the housing ladder, the housing Bill would only be effective if it included plans to increase the number of secure, stable and affordable homes across all tenures.

“People need a variety of stable housing options — too many are being forced into the bottom end of the private-rented sector with higher rents and less security.

“There is still an urgent need for a much more ambitious plan to supply genuinely affordable homes for sale and rent.”

If passed, the new Bill would also allow HMRC to share details of tenants’ income with landlords across the country.