§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which groups of key workers can benefit from the Key Worker Living scheme in each(a) of the scheme zones and (b) English region. [184140]
§ Keith HillThe Key Worker Living (KWL) scheme is operating in the London. South East and East regions of England. The following public sector groups are eligible to apply for assistance across all three regions: nurses and other NHS clinical staff; teachers in schools and further education colleges; probation officers; social workers; occupational therapists; educational psychologists; and speech and language therapists. Certain prison staff are eligible to apply across all three regions as are retained fire-fighters and whole-time junior fire officers within participating fire and rescue services and police officers, together with some civilian staff, in participating police forces. In London, local authority planners are also eligible to apply.
The greater London region is broken down into five areas for which three zone agents are working together as a partnership. South East England is covered by a zone agent consortium. Eastern region is broken down into four areas.
In addition to KWL, there is a key worker scheme particular to the South West region which was established by the South West Housing Body. Under the South West initiative, the definition of key workers is derived from a local assessment of need aimed at ensuring communities remain sustainable and that essential public services are maintained.