Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

First-time Home Buyers

Monday 22 February 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government initiatives like Help to Buy and Right to Buy have helped nearly 700,000 families buy homes over the past decade.
  • Scottish Government closed the Help to Buy scheme without providing adequate alternatives for first-time buyers.
  • Issues related to housing are devolved, but the Government will work with the Chancellor to increase mortgage options where possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Housing
Context

The issue of supporting first-time home buyers in regions with the highest house prices is raised.

Question

What steps are being taken to support first-time home buyers in parts of the UK with the highest house prices?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

This Government have initiatives like Help to Buy and Right to Buy, which have helped nearly 700,000 families buy homes over the past decade. Despite closing the Help to Buy scheme and pausing the first home fund in Scotland, we are collaborating with the Chancellor on increasing mortgage options for first-time buyers across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of specific steps or alternatives being provided by Scottish Government were not addressed.

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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Housing Scotland
Context

Concerns about second home buyers pricing out young first-time buyers, leading to highland depopulation.

Question

Second home buyers often price out young first-time buyers in the Highlands. Could you share your thinking and methodology with the Scottish Government to ensure that local young people can buy homes and live/work there?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The Hon. Gentleman and I share the view that young people should have opportunities to get on the housing ladder as we did before. However, it is unfortunate that the Scottish Government closed Help to Buy without alternatives. Issues are devolved but where possible, actions will be taken with the Chancellor to help first-time buyers access mortgages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of specific steps or collaboration with Scottish Government were not provided.

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