Oral Answers to Questions

Wes Streeting Excerpts

Monday 14th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con)]

13. What recent progress his Department has made on increasing the provision of affordable housing.

[Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)]

18. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government investment in affordable housing.

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Brandon Lewis)]

We have successfully delivered 270,000 affordable homes since 2010. More specifically, the 2011 to 2015 affordable homes programme delivered 193,000 affordable homes, exceeding expectations by some 23,000.

--- Later in debate ---

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend gives a good example of a good, well run local authority delivering housing for its constituents. We are determined to stand by those authorities and work with them. That is why I am delighted that the Chancellor committed a further £8 billion in the spending review to deliver 400,000 affordable homes across the country.

[Wes Streeting]

Given that average property prices in London have exceeded half a million pounds, first-time buyers will need to earn at least £70,000 a year to buy their first home. Does the Minister consider that affordable and, if not, what effective action will he take to put home ownership within the reach of the many and not just the few at the top?

[Brandon Lewis]

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman is now joining our call to build more homes that are affordable for people. Starts are up some 57% in his constituency since 2010, which is a good start, but we want to go even further. That is why we want to deliver more shared ownership, giving people a wider opportunity to get on the housing ladder, along with the 20% discount on starter homes through Help to Buy on just a 5% deposit.