27th Sep 2026 11:47
(Alliance News) - Planning approvals for new homes in the UK declined to a 13-year low in June, new figures shared with The Sunday Times showed, the newspaper reported.
The number of homes receiving planning permission was 214,515 in the year to June, the lowest annual total since 2013 and down 8% in the past year alone.
The figures come as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham over the weekend announced a new scheme to help first-time buyers on the housing ladder.
Burnham said he was concerned by the high number of young people who have given up on home ownership because of high living costs, and wanted to change that.
First-time buyers could get the keys to their home with just a 2.5% deposit saved as a result of the Your First Home scheme.
A loan worth 20% of their property's value will be available to help pay for the purchase as part of the scheme.
This equity loan will initially be interest-free to ensure it remains affordable.
With the national average first-time home costing GBP230,000 according to Rightmove, this means that a buyer could put down a deposit of GBP5,750, and access a loan of up to GBP46,000 to help with the purchase.
Full details of the scheme will be set out at the budget on October 28 by the Chancellor John Healey.
By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor
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