§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask, the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect of(a) the Starter Home Initiative and (b) the Abandoned Home Initiative in North Tyneside. [165360]
§ Keith HillSince September 2001, the Starter Home Initiative (SHI) has been helping key workers into home ownership in areas where the high cost of housing serves to undermine recruitment and retention of skilled staff in our key public services. It has not been available to key workers in the North East. The SHI was superseded from 1 April by a new key worker housing programme—Key Worker Living. This is also not available in the North East.
1650WThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware of an Abandoned Homes Initiative. However, our Market Renewal Pathfinders are a comprehensive programme to tackle low demand and abandonment in nine areas of England, including Tyneside. The boundaries of the Tyneside scheme, which include parts of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, but not the North Tyneside council district, were drawn up following an analysis of local housing markets, using a "worst first" approach. The integrated approach to spatial and economic issues being adopted by the pathfinders should bring substantial benefits to the wider sub-region.