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Tories laugh when Jeremy Corbyn raises housing crisis with David Cameron

Jon Stone
Wednesday 14 October 2015 08:43 EDT
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Corbyn Stare after Conservatives laugh at PMQs

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Conservative MPs have been criticised for laughing as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn put voters’ concerns about the housing crisis to David Cameron.

The Prime Minister was forced to defend his housing policy in Parliament after an analysis found that his so-called “starter homes” would only be affordable by Britain’s very highest earners.

But Conservative MPs burst out laughing while the question was being asked, prompting angry viewers to take to social media.

Jeremy Corbyn's withering response to MPs laughing at his questions
Jeremy Corbyn's withering response to MPs laughing at his questions

A number described the outburst from the governing party as “not a good look”.

The Labour leader had said he had received 3,500 emails in the last week asking him to grill the Prime Minister on the unaffordability of housing, especially in the capital.

“I’d like to tell him I’ve had 3,500 questions from housing in the last few days, and I just want to say this, a question from Matthew,” he said, before pausing due to the loud laughter, which was audible to television viewers.

“This might be funny to some members but it’s not funny to Matthew or many others.”

Mr Corbyn continued: “Does [The Prime Minister] really believe that £450,000 is actually an affordable price for a new home for someone on an average income to try and aspire to?”

David Cameron replied by arguing that the homes would actually be cheaper than what he called the “upper limit” of house prices in the policy.

“The honourable gentleman quotes the figure of £450,000 because what we’re saying is that should be the upper limit for starter homes in London,” he said.

“We want to see starter homes in London built for £150,000, at £200,000 so people … can stop renting and start buying.”

The average house price in London is £522,000, according to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

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