Justin Tomlinson
Main Page: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)(9 years, 8 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Kris Hopkins
As I have said in answer to previous questions, there is clear guidance on what is appropriate and inappropriate. It is absolutely appropriate for individual local authorities to get a secure local plan that determines the shape and use of renewable energy sources.
Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con)
17. What assessment he has made of the extent of take-up of the Help to Buy scheme in (a) England and (b) Swindon.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)
More than 50,000 families have already purchased a home in England with the support of Help to Buy since March 2012, helping them to achieve their ambition of owning their own home. In Swindon, 430 families have bought through Help to Buy.
Justin Tomlinson
Government-backed schemes have helped 430 hard-working families in Swindon get on the housing ladder. Will the Secretary of State comment on whether the scheme has been successful in Wales under the Labour Administration there?
Mr Pickles
It has not been as successful in Wales, because Labour rather botched its introduction of Help to Buy. I was recently in Mid Bedfordshire looking at some houses on a Barratt Homes development, and I was surprised to find that all the brickies came from Wales. The explanation was that because of the decline of house building in Wales, ambitious brickies are coming to England for work.