Housing Minister John Healey has announced that he has confirmed the release of a further £290m that should build almost 5,500 affordable homes across the country.

He said this will go a long way in helping to tackle housing waiting list pressures, boost the construction industry and support over 6,000 jobs.

Mr Healey said that this latest installment of Government cash to build more affordable homes brings total Government support for housebuilding since June to £1.8bn.

Mr Healey also saw builders get back to work at New Broughton in Salford today thanks to £7.3m government cash to kickstart work on site again after over a year's delay due to the recession.

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While there the minister confirmed that more than 30 stalled building projects across the country have met final conditions to receive Government Kickstart cash that will get them building again.

Projects right across the country will feel the benefit of today's £290m cash, delivering almost 5,500 more affordable homes across 149 local authority areas. The funding will be distributed through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Government's housing delivery body.

Mr Healey said over a quarter of the new homes provided will help get first time buyers onto the property ladder through the HomeBuy scheme and other low cost home ownership programmes, while the remainder of the new homes will provide much needed council and housing association properties for social tenants.

Mr Healey also made clear his determination that every one of the housing associations receiving Government housebuilding cash will be required to provide apprentices to help secure a strong future for the industry and support and cultivate the next generation of construction workers through providing the experience and qualifications for young people to build their careers.

(CD/BMcC)