A GOVERNMENT white paper on housing might be “significantly weaker” than expected, Welsh language campaigners warned today.

The Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith) issued the warning after the name of the white paper was changed.

As part of the 2021 co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh government committed to “publish a white paper to include proposals for a right to adequate housing.” 

But in a scrutiny session by the Senedd housing committee, a senior civil servant referred to the document as covering “housing adequacy, fair rents and affordability.”

The society’s Jeff Smith said: “It would be extremely disappointing if the Welsh government dropped the core principle it committed to three years ago.”

The Welsh government, which did not address the name change, said: “Ensuring everyone in Wales has a decent, affordable and safe place to call home is one of our key ambitions.

“Our white paper on adequate housing, fair rents and affordability is an important step in achieving this ambition.”