Oral Answers to Questions

Christopher Pincher Excerpts

Tuesday 1st December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Greg Hands]

One of the other announcements that the hon. Lady might have missed was the extra £1.5 billion going into an improved better care fund, thanks to this Government. She quotes the vice-chair of the LGA, but she could have quoted the LGA chairman, also a Conservative, who said:

“The LGA has long called for further flexibility in the setting of council tax and it is right that Greg Clark and Greg Hands have listened to the concerns set out by local government.”

[Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to support (a) people with savings and (b) home ownership.

[Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to help first-time home buyers.

[The First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

This Government back saving and home ownership. That support is exemplified by the Help to Buy ISA that becomes available today. This new ISA provides direct Government support to anyone saving for the deposit on their first home. For every £200 they save in the ISA, the Government will help them with another £50. Add it up and the Government will give them up to £3,000 towards their first home—all part of a plan to help working people in this country.

[Christopher Pincher]

One of the best ways to help people build up their savings so that they can get a Help to Buy ISA and buy their own home is to make sure that they have good jobs with good wages. What steps will my right hon. Friend take to drive employment in my constituency, which has historically low unemployment, and across the midlands engine?