Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Justin Tomlinson Excerpts
Tuesday 24th June 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The Government know exactly what their policy is on Help to Buy—it is to support first-time buyers and, at the same time, to make a significant contribution to new housing starts. The supply of housing is absolutely essential for people to achieve their dream of getting on the housing ladder.

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con)
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A total of 119 households in my constituency have benefited from Help to Buy, of which 96% are first-time buyers. Will the Minister visit Swindon to meet these people and those in the construction industry who have benefited from this opportunity?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that invitation, and yes, I would love to take him up on it. As a new Minister, it would be a very exciting visit for me, so I thank him. The chief executive of Barratt Homes has said that its new housing starts are 20% up on two years ago owing to the Help to Buy scheme.