Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Robert Halfon

Main Page: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)

Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Halfon Excerpts
Monday 8th September 2014

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I agree with some of what the hon. Gentleman said, but I do not think that we need to go down the line of his final few comments. From April 2012 to June 2014, almost 3,700 homes have been started on site or acquired with the £514 million that has been generated by additional sales through the reinvigorated right to buy. The additional receipts that are raised by local authority right-to-buy sales are now used directly to fund homes for affordable rent, thanks to the changes that the Government have made.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Is my hon. Friend aware that under this Government an astonishing 437% more people in Harlow have bought houses under the right to buy? Is that not an example of a housing policy that helps lower earners and gives people the ladder of aspiration?

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Government have stood firm behind this clear policy to give people the chance to aspire to move on, own their own home, and play an important part in developing that home in their community for the future.