‘We must help young get on property ladder’

THE Prime Minister has spoken out about the “generational unfairness” experienced by young people attempting to get on the property ladder.

Mr Johnson was speaking as he visited the Barratt Homes Great Oldbury development near Stonehouse.

Yesterday marked the launch of the Government’s mortgage guarantee scheme, which was announced in the 2021 Budget Speech. It aims to enable more households to access mortgages without the need for large deposits.

It is hoped to help younger people ‘realise the dream’ of owning a home.

During his visit to the Stroud district, the Prime Minister said that he feels “very strongly” about young people being able to access the property ladder.

Mr Johnson said: “I feel particularly for young people because 30 years ago when I was trying to get onto the property ladder it was far, far easier – the ratio of house prices to average incomes was far, far lower and

I’m afraid the prices have gone up and up and up and people’s ability to buy has not kept pace.

“It’s generationally unfair – I think the people in their 40s, 50s and 60s had it much easier, and it’s time the Government really did something about it.

“I believe in home ownership.” When asked about what the Government could do to bring house prices down, Mr Johnson seemed to be certain that the only way house prices could be brought down would be via an “economic collapse”.

He said: “I’m afraid house prices are partly a reflection of the natural strength of our economy – look at this place. People want to live in Stroud – it’s beautiful. I think it was voted the best place to live.”

On the subject of Stroud, a town renowned for its fierce progressive spirit and passion for the environment, the Prime Minister said he “believes in protecting its beautiful green spacesW.

In recent years, many residents of Stroud have shown frustration at the conversion of fields into housing estates.

Mr Johnson said: “Well, we believe in the greenbelt. We believe in the protecting the beautiful green spaces around Stroud and that’s why Stroud was voted ‘The Best Place to Live’,

“We have big, big campaigns to beautify the natural environment, to protect against flooding, plant trees, to rewild parts of the UK and in terms of the overall UK approach to the environment.

“You’re going to be hearing a lot more about that at COP26 in Glasgow in November, where we’re not just talking about climate change, we’re talking about the whole range of ways in which we can protect the natural world and biodiversity.”