Public sector employees to be helped with housing costs

The
first phase of a £250 million scheme designed to assist the recruitment of
public sector workers, particularly in the south-east, will be unveiled by the
government in September.

The
scheme will help 10,000 nurses, teachers and police officers to buy their homes
as evidence mounts that public sector workers are being priced out of their
jobs.

Staff
in areas experiencing the worst recruitment problems will be able to apply for
subsidies of up to £25,000 to get on the property ladder.

The
financial aid will come in the form of interest-free loans, grants towards a
deposit on a house, or shared ownership schemes under which a staff member
might own half the property and pay rent to a local authority or housing
association for the reminder.

www.detr.gov.uk

Karen
Higginbottom