§ 10. Mr. WebbWhat plans she has to improve the help given to low-income home buyers with their mortgage interest payments. [34051]
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. This is taking much too long. Members should put their questions briefly and Ministers should answer them briefly. The previous question, although an important one, took eight minutes, which was far too long. The hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) has asked his question and is waiting for an answer.
§ Mr. FieldThe best form of protection for all home owners is private insurance, and we are working with the 13 industry to develop better products and to improve take-up. We shall consider changes to the benefit arrangements as that work progresses.
§ Mr. WebbI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that response. Is he aware that, when it surveyed unemployed people on income support, his own Department found that, whereas only one in six mentioned child care, one in three mentioned loss of help with housing costs in low-paid work? Does he accept that the lack of help with mortgage interest for people in low-paid jobs is a serious barrier to moving off welfare and into work? Does he have any plans to deal with that?
§ Mr. FieldAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government are reviewing welfare reform and will report on their findings on Thursday. The House should be aware that the scheme favoured by the hon. Gentleman, if it was modelled on housing benefit, would cost about £750 million. If there were £750 million spare, it would be interesting to see whether the House decided to spend it in the way the hon. Gentleman wants, or in other ways.
§ Mr. PikeCan my hon. Friend confirm that, as soon as MIRAS is changed next month, the benefits system will be changed to ensure that people are not put in difficulties with their interest payments?
§ Mr. FieldAs my hon. Friend knows, the payments made for mortgage interest are a tracking arrangement and we shall, in due course, take into account changes in the mortgage interest rate.