BOOST TO NEW HOMES MARKET People in England are being offered help to climb onto or up the housing ladder as the government's new mortgage indemnity scheme launches.

Under the scheme the construction industry and taxpayers will act as co-guarantors on new homes bought by existing or first-time buyers.

The government hopes the NewBuy scheme will enable people to borrow up to 95% of the value of new homes.

Critics argue the scheme is just a ruse to help the construction industry.

Under NewBuy, the builder pays 3.

5% of the sale price into a special account held by the lending bank for seven years.

Taxpayers will provide additional guarantees of 5.

5% but that money will be called upon only in the event of a major property crash.

The scheme is being unveiled on the same day Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed the extension of the right-to-buy discount to up to £75,000 for social housing tenants.

'Scheme re-boot' Under that scheme, those who have had five years in a council house could receive a 35% discount, with an extra 1% for each added year up to a maximum of £75,000.

Tenants in flats will get 50% off after five years, with 2% added yearly.

Mr Cameron said of both schemes: "Strong families and stable communities are built from good homes.

That's why I want us to build more homes and I want more people to have the chance to own their own home.

"Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote The scheme will also provide a vital kick-start for house builders large and small” End Quote Stewart Baseley Home Builders' Federation He said: "We're rebooting the right-to-buy scheme to increase discounts for two million tenants in social housing in England.

And we're delivering on our promise to offer affordable mortgages to buyers who might otherwise not be able to raise the money to buy a newly built home.

"He added: "It's no good hoping people will climb the property ladder if the bottom rung is missing.

"NewBuy is backed by the Home Builders' Federation (HBF) and the Council of Mortgage Lenders and names are being released later of three High Street lenders and seven construction firms who are supporting the scheme.

The scheme is available on flats and houses up to a maximum value of £500,000 in England only.

The Department of Communities and Local Government says the NewBuy scheme will enable banks or building societies to lend up to 95% of the sale price - meaning buyers might only have to provide a £10,000 deposit on a newly built £200,000 home.

'Questions to answer' Housing Minister Grant Shapps said the average age of first time buyers had risen dramatically as people could not afford deposits.

"I'm not prepared to stand by, and nor is the government, to watch an entire generation of people be locked out of the housing market when they can afford proper mortgages," he said.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, said: "NewBuy will help thousands of people to meet their aspirations to buy a new home, freeing up the housing market and helping first-time buyers and those unable to take the next step on the ladder.

"The scheme will also provide a vital kick-start for house builders large and small who will be able to build the homes and create the jobs that the country desperately needs.

"Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote This strategy also does almost nothing to help the growing number of families living in insecure private rented housing with hardly any protection from rogue landlords or unexpected rises in rent” End Quote Campbell Robb Shelter chief executive The construction industry hopes the plan will lead to an extra 100,000 properties being built, which it says would create 500,000 jobs.

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