Ruth Davidson in Scots mortgage call

Published on 19/02/2013 00:00

First-time house buyers should be given the chance to take on 95 per cent mortgages to help realise the “dream” of property ownership, according to Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

She said she was lobbying the Prime Minister and Chancellor to help people struggling to find large deposits to satisfy stricter rules among lenders.

Ms Davidson, who rents her home, said: “It is obviously right that banks are stopped from selling mortgages to people who can’t afford to make the monthly payments. But it is wrong that mortgages are no longer available to people who can afford to make the monthly payments, but who suddenly – as a knock-on effect of irresponsible bank lending in the past – are required to have at least 20 per cent or 30 per cent deposit.”

The plan was revealed in a policy speech, in which she also proposed to cut income tax by 1p and extend free nursery provision to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds.