Persimmon, one of Britain’s biggest house builders, claimed last month that firsttime buyers are back in the property market, now accounting for onefifth of all sales (up from onetenth).

 

Forward orders across the business – now at £640 million – are up 40%, which surely spells good news for those considering a career in construction or the building trades.

 

For more on working in the construction industry, see our article on page 36.

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has instigated a series of new measures to help military families find jobs and get on the housing ladder. In mid-November, he invited 80 members of Forces families, including wives and grandparents of serving soldiers, to Downing Street for a private reception to discuss their concerns.

The meeting coincided with an announcement by Leader of the House, Harriet Harman, and Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, of government action to help Forces families gain better access to training and education, as well as childcare, and to aid them in their search for work. In addition, they have been promised better advice on school places. Ministers are also due to announce a ‘shared equity’ scheme to help Services families buy their own homes. It is planned that this will differ from the more usual shared equity schemes in that it will enable them to switch the equity to other properties as they are moved from base to base.
 

Kevan Jones, Under-Secretary of State for Defence, commented: ‘Support for families is support for those on the front line. If soldiers know that their families are looked after, then that is vital for them in the crucial role they perform.’