It is in the UK national interest that the Portuguese, and wider euro area, economy is successful and we welcome the Portuguese Government’s strong commitment to its Economic Adjustment Programme, and the progress achieved under it. Treasury officials

closely monitor developments in Portugal and the rest of the euro area, as with all major economies, as part of the normal policy development process.

Ensuring that banks provide appropriate redress for their customers is a matter for the independent regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA has stated that it is keeping a close eye on how the industry handles all payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints and will be quick to challenge anything it thinks is unfair. The FCA is currently conducting a thematic review of PPI complaints-handling, and results of its investigation into larger firms' complaint-handling will be published later this year.

The Government has not estimated the economic costs attributable to the recent flooding.

The Government is committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many households as possible. The Government wants current and future generations to experience the benefits of owning their own home, in the same way their parents were able to. Since the financial crisis, larger deposit requirements and falling equity values mean many credit-worthy households cannot get a mortgage, or are trapped in their existing homes unable to take the next step.

On 8 October, the Government published the scheme rules for the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme, allowing lenders to sign up to the Scheme and originate mortgages that will be eligible for the Scheme when it opens in January.

In the one month since the publication of the scheme rules on 8 October, more than 2,000 people have put in applications to lenders under the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme totalling £365m of new mortgage lending.

Once the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme opens in January, the Government will collect data on mortgages covered by the guarantee, and will report in due course.

The Government is continuing to engage with the Commission on Regional Aid and will be in a position to make an assessment once the General Block Exemption Regulations are finalised. Enterprise Zones remain a key priority within these negotiations.

The Government will respond to the Commission on Devolution in Wales, which recommended tax and borrowing powers for the Welsh Government, following an assessment of the submissions received to its consultation on the potential impacts of devolving stamp duty land tax.

The Government will respond to the Commission on Devolution in Wales, which recommended tax and borrowing powers for the Welsh Government, following an assessment of the submissions received to its consultation on the potential impacts of devolving stamp duty land tax.

As set out in the Coalition Programme for Government, this Government's priority must be to reduce the deficit and therefore any change to the Barnett Formula must await the stabilisation of the public finances.