Bosses can house their workers

Government funding is helping nurses, teachers and police. But what about Londoners in the retail, services and business sectors? The biggest private employers could talk to housing associations - the main providers of new Government subsidised housing for rent.

London health trusts - such as Hammersmith - and education authorities are cooperating with housing associations to provide homes for their staff.

For those who want to own, a shared ownership scheme could be the solution. For a modest amount, employees could part-own their home, paying rent only on the percentage owned by the employer. This way when they leave their job and sell their share in the tied accommodation, they will benefit if the value of the property has increased during their occupancy.

Employers need to recognise that helping house their workers may make good business sense.