LABOUR PLEDGES MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES
(1 February 2005)

John Prescott MP, Labour's Deputy Prime Minister, said today that only Labour would offer more people the chance to get onto the housing ladder. With plans announced for £60,000 homes for first time buyers, John Prescott MP was speaking at the Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester. He said "Labour is investing in homes for all - helping first time buyers, key workers and making sure that social tenants get more choice and decent homes".

Homes for All, the ODPM's Five Year Plan, contains a wide range of measures including:

• Helping 80,000 people into home ownership by 2010, including the First Time Buyer's Initiative using publicly-owned land to build family homes for as little as £60,000
• Homebuy- a new scheme that will allow the tenants of local authorities and house associations to buy a stake in their home, thus extending the opportunity for home ownership for up to 300,000 families.
• Ensuring the proceeds from Homebuy sales are reinvested in Housing.
• Continuing the 'Right to Buy' and 'Right To Acquire' schemes for people who qualify to purchase their home from their local authority or housing association
• Changes to the planning system to ensure more affordable housing for key workers and young families in rural areas
• Maintaining a strong social housing sector.
• New measures to protect the environment
• News powers to protect the greenbelt.

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