Rent-to-own scheme one of key planks of Lib Dem manifesto

Tenants will be able to use rent payments to buy their own homes under plans unveiled by the Liberal Democrats.

The rent-to-own initiative is one of the flagship policies revealed in the party's General Election manifesto.

Lib Dems say they will restore housing benefit to young people, bring in bus passes for 16-21 year olds with a two-thirds discount, and lower the voting age to 16 if they gain power.

The party has also pledged to boost education spending by £7 billion over five years, double the number of businesses that take apprenticeships, and extend free school meals to all primary school pupils.

The rent-to-own scheme would see monthly rents used like a mortgage with working tenants owning their own home over a 30-year period.

The party would use a Housing and Infrastructure Development Bank to help firms and housing associations fund the building of rent to own homes.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, who launches the manifesto on Wednesday, said: "You don't have to accept Theresa May and Nigel Farage's extreme version of Brexit that will wreck the future for you, your family, your schools and hospitals.

"In the biggest fight for the future of our country in a generation, Jeremy Corbyn's Labour has let you down by voting with Theresa May on Brexit, not against her.

"The Liberal Democrats want you to have a choice over your future.

"You should have your say on the Brexit deal in a referendum.

"And if you don't like the deal you should be able to reject it and choose to remain in Europe.

"We want to give all our children a brighter future in a fairer Britain where people are decent to each other, with good schools and hospitals, a clean environment and an innovative economy.

"Not Theresa May's cold, mean-spirited Britain."