4. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Affordability, Second Homes and the Welsh Language

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:20 pm on 6 July 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:20, 6 July 2021

Yes. Thank you very much, Buffy, and that just demonstrates nicely, doesn't it, that the issue is an issue right across Wales for a different set of reasons. So, we have issues with areas surrounding our big cities that become commuter towns, so to speak; we have issues with holidays; we have issues with students; we have a whole range of issues right across Wales. There's no silver bullet for this—that's the real point that we're finding here. If you read Dr Simon Brooks's report, and, indeed, our response, which all Members will now have, you'll see that he's acknowledging that there's no silver bullet. What we will need is a range of measures right across Wales that work differently in different communities, to ensure that we do have access to affordable housing for our young people and, indeed, our families and all of our communities. And that will be that mix of good social housing that's available for all, because it's not rationed any more—shared-equity schemes, co-operative housing, community land housing—and then, the kinds of schemes that we have seen around Help to Buy and so on that allow people to get that foot on the housing ladder. And I already said, in answer to a previous speaker, that one of the things we want to do is work with lenders to make sure that people who can demonstrate good rental records are still considered for mortgage offers. So, the way that that market works is really driving some of the issues we're seeing at the moment as well. And, of course, I've also mentioned the various taxation issues and so on that we'll be bringing to bear too. But I'm really happy, Buffy, to work with you, and any of the communities you have, to see what we can pilot in some of those communities as well.