Armed forces personnel are to receive help to buy their own homes, under new plans announced by the government.

Up to 10,000 members of the Armed Forces and their families currently living in service housing in London, the South East and the East, will receive assistance to help them get a first step onto the housing ladder.

Under an expansion of the government's key worker programme, military personnel will now be able to buy a newly built home, paying a minimum 25% of the price and a reduced rent on the remaining cost of the home.

Members of the Armed Forces on operational deployments in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as a further 2,500 Ministry of Defence civilian workers will also qualify for assistance, which allows purchasers to buy any new build shared ownership in London, the South East and the East.

Key workers who currently receive housing help include clinical NHS staff, teachers, police officers, prison service staff, probation service staff, social workers, local authority planners and firefighters.

Commenting on the move, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "Our Armed Forces play a vital role in public life and their local communities; this new support recognises that contribution. We know that in some areas of the country service personnel, like other key workers, have been priced out of the housing market. That is why we have put low cost home ownership programmes in place, which have supported thousands of families to buy their own homes. Extending key worker housing help to the military will enable more people to meet their aspirations and get a foot on the housing ladder.

(KMcA/EF)