05/08/2003

Key workers urged to apply for home funding

The Deputy Prime Minister today called on teachers, police and health workers to apply for funding from a scheme that has now helped more than 3,300 key workers buy a home.

The £250 million Starter Home Initiative is helping key workers to buy homes in London and the South East where high prices are making it hard to recruit and keep staff. The government aims to invest one billion pounds in key worker housing schemes by March 2006.

Speaking during a visit to a housing development in Sutton in Surrey, Mr Prescott said: "We want every teacher, health worker and the police in London and the South East to know that funding is available to help them into homeownership if they want to go down this route."

But as all house purchases and final exchanges under the Initiative must be made by March 2004, Mr Prescott urged key workers who are thinking of buying a home to apply for funding now.

(GMcG)

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