The housing minister has launched the second round of the government’s council housing building programme.
John Healey said he is making £180 million available to fund 1,200 homes ‘for councils that are ready to help build the affordable homes we need in this country’.
Bids must be in by the end of next month and the successful bidders will be announced by the end of 2009. Councils will be subjected to the same requirements as private developers and housing associations to run apprenticeship schemes and promote local employment.