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Gordon Brown has unveiled plans aimed at putting the Thames Gateway "at the heart of Britain's economy".
Publishing a delivery plan for the next three years, the prime minister said £9bn would be invested in the area up to 2011.
He pointed to plans to build three million more homes by 2020, saying that the government was determined to "meet the rising aspirations of the British people".
"For most of us, buying a home is the most important financial transaction of our lives," Brown told the Thames Gateway conference.
The plans include 27 new or refurbished secondary schools and three new university campuses.
There will also be 90 new Sure Start centres and a £40m programme to improve NHS primary care facilities.
"Our aim is to help create thriving communities with new homes, new jobs and a better environment," the prime minister said.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd