Many families who have been waiting patiently for a council home in Oxford will breathe a sigh of relief that the rules are being changed.

In the past, the length of time people had spent on the waiting list was not taken into account.

To qualify, you had to meet other criteria.

Now the council has had a change of heart and made a sensible move.

For the first time, families who had been told they would never qualify for a home can hold out hope that they will one day be successful.

However, since the number of homes available to tenants will not increase, the new policy may mean that others may have to wait longer.

Sadly, there will still be winners and losers.

Unless the city council can increase the housing stock and turn around empty properties more quickly, many people will still face a lengthy spell on the waiting list.