Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Lefroy Excerpts

Monday 2nd February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Kris Hopkins]

My clear advice would be to vote Conservative in the forthcoming elections.

[Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department has taken to help first-time buyers.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

We have already helped over 58,000 first-time buyers to purchase a home with as little as 5% deposit through Help to Buy. We are also consulting on the starter homes scheme. Starter homes will be available for 100,000 first-time buyers under 40 years of age, at a minimum of 20% below open market value.

[Jeremy Lefroy]

I thank the Minister for that important answer. Stafford and Rural Homes in my constituency is investing in many high-quality, well-designed new homes for social rent. What steps is he taking to ensure that the proposed new starter homes are of equally high quality and good design?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I have said at a number of points that it is important that, in building the quantity of homes we want, we ensure that the quality of build and design is there, too, so that communities can be proud of the homes that are being built. That is why I brought together a design panel of various organisations, which is looking at that work to ensure that we are using the best-quality design and build.