Help to Buy Is Not Fuelling Housing Bubble, Says Cameron

David Cameron dismissed concerns from Labour and coalition ministers that the government's Help to Buy scheme may be feeding a housing bubble as he promoted its next phase. The prime minister branded sceptics of the mortgage guarantees – such as the Liberal Democrat business secretary, Vince Cable, "London-centric" and claimed that in many parts of the country prices were "barely moving at all". His defence of the government scheme came as he promoted new figures which claim to show that more than 6,000 people have put offers in on homes and applied for mortgages using Help to Buy since it was launched about three months ago. Read more on the Guardian website.

Accession State Workers Get New Housing Rights

On 1st May, rules that affected the housing rights of workers from Poland and the other 'A8' countries that joined the EU in 2004 were changed, so that they now have the same rights as other EU workers. Before 1st May, accession state workers (except the self-employed) had to register on the Worker Registration Scheme. This scheme and the need to register has now lapsed. While the scheme existed, workers who lost their job ceased to be entitled to welfare benefits, and there was a growing problem of destitution among those who (for example) could not get housing benefit to access a hostel bed. From 1st May people from the accession states (but not yet those from Bulgaria or Romania) have the same freedom of movement as other nationals from EU countries. Broadly speaking, if they are working and lose their job, subject to various conditions they are still entitled to housing and welfare benefits. This means that, whereas before 1st May a Polish or Latvian worker (for example) who lost their job and applied as homeless to the council would have not been entitled to help - they now are. Read more on the CIH website.