Beckett vows to help FTBs

07-Oct-2008

Margaret Beckett has vowed to help first-time buyers (FTBs) looking to get on to the property ladder in her new role as minister of state for housing.

Ms Beckett forms part of the new Communities and Local Government ministerial team, announced this week in Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle.

She says her priority will be to help overcome housing market challenges, which she says have been caused by "global turbulence", focusing on delivering affordable homes to meet the long-term demand.

"I will continue to ensure the support is in place for vulnerable households facing difficulties right now, as well as for first-time buyers aspiring to get on to the housing ladder, and for the house building industry so it is ready for recovery," Ms Beckett adds.

The new team also includes Sadiq Khan as parliamentary under secretary of state.

Last week the department announced that homeowners would be able to extend their properties without needing to pay costs or get planning permission.

It said some 80,000 homes would benefit from the new rules.

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