Cameron rushes mortgage plan launch

British prime minister David Cameron began setting out his stall for the 2015 election by talking up a contested plan to boost home ownership.

Seeking to reverse days of gloomy opinion polls before the start of his ruling Conservative party’s annual conference, Cameron said his decision to bring forward the government’s new £12bn (€8.8bn) mortgage guarantee scheme would be a shot in the arm for would-be home owners.

The scheme allows first-time buyers in England to take out home loans of up to 95% of the price. It will be launched next week — three months ahead of schedule.