Deputy wants other help for first-time buyers if mortgage interest relief is scrapped

FIRST-TIME buyers must be offered alternative assistance if mortgage interest relief is scrapped, one deputy has said.

Martin Storey warned of the potential pressure the move would have on islanders trying to get on the property ladder.

The phasing out of mortgage interest relief was one of the options put forward as part of a major review of how the States taxes islanders, but the suggestion faced a backlash of criticism.

Deputy Storey, pictured, believed it was right to consider the future of MIR as part of the review, but warned against axing it without any alternative support in place.