Government housing proposals criticised

New government proposals to help people into home ownership have been criticised as being limited and of little use to most.

Yesterday housing minister Caroline Flint announced a raft of measures, including a scheme under which qualifying households can rent a home at under market value, save the difference up for a housing deposit and have the option of buying a part share in the property when their tenancy ends after two or three years.

However, many in the housing industry have given the proposal a lukewarm reception.

David Bexon, managing director of smartnewhomes.com, said: "While the rent-to-buy scheme will offer a good avenue into property ownership for some, it does little to get people buying and moving now."

Peter Williams, the executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, claimed the measure was nothing more than a "sticking plaster".

An alternative way to get on the ladder is by using the self build method.