More help needed for first time buyers in Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Tuesday 26th February 2008
The Scottish Government announced a “New Era for Scottish Housing” last month by expanding a scheme designed to help more first time buyers get into the housing market. The shared equity scheme is part of LIFT – Low cost initiative for first time buyers – that allows people to buy homes that are for sale on the open market and is part of a government package to help people who aspire to own their home.
Des Browne Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said
“When making the announcement the Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell hailed it as “meeting the housing aspirations of our population”. On examination of the detail of the announcement I am astounded that my constituents have not been given the opportunity to benefit from this expanded scheme. Not one local authority in the West of Scotland has been included in the pilot. It beggars belief that assistance onto the property ladder is greater in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling and Moray than here in Kilmarnock and Loudoun. I have today written to the Communities Minister demanding the application of LIFT to be available to my constituents.”
