This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36866975

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Most-affordable places for first-time buyers revealed Most affordable places for first-time buyers revealed
(4 days later)
The most-affordable - and the least-accessible - places for first-time buyers have been revealed by the UK's largest mortgage lender, the Halifax. The most affordable - and the least affordable - places for first-time buyers have been revealed by the UK's largest mortgage lender, the Halifax.
Compared to local earnings, the cheapest places to buy are mostly in western Scotland and northern England.Compared to local earnings, the cheapest places to buy are mostly in western Scotland and northern England.
The most expensive are all in London.The most expensive are all in London.
East Dunbartonshire, on the northern fringes of Glasgow, is the most-affordable place in the UK. On average, house prices here are just 2.6 times local annual earnings.East Dunbartonshire, on the northern fringes of Glasgow, is the most-affordable place in the UK. On average, house prices here are just 2.6 times local annual earnings.
By contrast, the least-affordable place is Brent in north London, where house prices are on average 12.5 times local earnings.By contrast, the least-affordable place is Brent in north London, where house prices are on average 12.5 times local earnings.
The Halifax data also shows that first-time buyers face the highest prices in London, paying £384,000 on average, compared to just £110,00 in Northern Ireland.The Halifax data also shows that first-time buyers face the highest prices in London, paying £384,000 on average, compared to just £110,00 in Northern Ireland.
The number of people buying houses or flats for the first time is now on the increase, according to the Halifax.The number of people buying houses or flats for the first time is now on the increase, according to the Halifax.
Its figures show that 154,200 buyers were successful in the first half of 2016, compared to 140,500 in the same period the previous year - a 10% rise.Its figures show that 154,200 buyers were successful in the first half of 2016, compared to 140,500 in the same period the previous year - a 10% rise.
However, the longer-term picture is not so rosy.However, the longer-term picture is not so rosy.
Government figures released earlier this week show that the number of first-time buyers in England has fallen by a third in the past decade.Government figures released earlier this week show that the number of first-time buyers in England has fallen by a third in the past decade.
The Halifax said the government's Help to Buy scheme, launched in April 2013, would have helped to boost first-time buys.The Halifax said the government's Help to Buy scheme, launched in April 2013, would have helped to boost first-time buys.
Where can I afford to live?Where can I afford to live?