Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and Lord Evans of Rainow

Monday 17th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

21. What steps he is taking to support (a) first-time buyers and (b) former members of the armed forces with housing.

[The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk)]

We announced an extra £280 million on 6 September to extend the Firstbuy scheme. This means we will help some 27,000 first-time buyers into home ownership by March 2014. Former members of the armed forces have priority to access this scheme up to 12 months after discharge.

[Graham Evans]

Will my hon. Friend update us on how local government housing associations are prioritising former armed forces personnel and their families, who have served their country so well?

[Mr Prisk]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. As I suspect he knows, we have changed the law so that ex-service personnel who have urgent housing needs are always given additional preference for social housing by local councils. I think that will make an important difference.