FLIC Wiltshire Article - 11th March

Owning a home provides a sense of security as well as pride. It is a particularly memorable moment when you are given the keys to your own house. Indeed I still remember the sense of ownership I felt when I was given the keys to my house in Taw Hill in 2006. 
 
I believe that everybody should be able to have that experience. Unfortunately, too many people have been denied that security, like those in their 20s and 30s still living with their parents or a couple who want a child but can’t afford to upsize. It shouldn’t be this way.
 
That’s why I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister set out one of the cornerstones of the Conservative Party Manifesto -  a Britain where everyone who works hard can have a home of their own.
 
On Monday, he committed to building 200,000 cut-rice starter homes for first-time buyers by 2020 - twice as many as currently planned. New rules will cut planning red-tape for starter homes, which means developers can build and sell them for 20% less than the usual price. 
 
These new starter homes will help tens of thousands of young people realise the dream of owning their own home. Our long-term economic plan is building a Britain that rewards hard work, making this a country where if you put in, you will get out.
 
It’s also good news for those who want to build their own house too. For those dreaming of building their home from scratch, we will require Councils to find land, helping tens of thousands of small builders. 
 
We also want common sense on home extensions, so as long as neighbours are happy we will always give families the right to build extensions and conservatories without old-fashioned regulations getting in the way.
 
By cutting red tape in the housing market, we will boost housebuilding on brownfield land. Again, contributing in the creation of a Britain where everyone can have a home to call their own. 
 
For years now the Conservative Party have been recognised as the party of home ownership. From the Right to Buy scheme which allowed people to own their own council house, through to this Governments introduction of the Help to Buy Scheme, as well as the reform of Stamp Duty, saving a staggering £4,500 for an average house buyer. With the recent announcement of new starter homes, David Cameron is solidifying this recognition.
 
Here in Swindon, we have a fantastically competitive housing market. We are the first place along the M4 where you can buy a nice, affordable home. This is just one of the reasons why businesses continue to base themselves in our town.
 
All in all, home ownership is a brilliant objective for people here in Swindon, and across the UK, and I am glad to see that we’re making it a priority.