Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Oral Answers to Questions

Kit Malthouse Excerpts
Monday 21st March 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

If the hon. Gentleman looks at some of the papers published over the past couple of weeks, he will see that although there was a fall in home ownership since 2003, it has stalled. It is our clear determination and policy to make sure that we increase home ownership, and that is what starter homes are about. I hope that he will support us in delivering those homes for first-time buyers under 40, at a discount of at least 20%, so that we can help them to be able to afford to get into that ownership model again.

Kit Malthouse Portrait Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) (Con)
- Hansard - -

One of the key planks of the Government’s policy on delivering affordable housing is neighbourhood planning, so the Minister will be pleased to hear that in Oakley, in my constituency, the neighbourhood plan went to a referendum last Thursday and received 95% approval. Given that, does he agree that it is an outrage that just seven days before the referendum, the planning inspector allowed an appeal in that village that largely renders the plan pointless after two years of work? What is he going to do about the Planning Inspectorate effectively bulldozing Government policy in my constituency?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Specifically in relation to affordable homes, a matter upon which I feel sure the Minister is tempted to dilate.