Rise in new home buyers

First-time buyers piled back into the housing market in the best start to a year since 2008, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Its figures showed 32,300 loans advanced to those getting on the property ladder in January and February, 21 per cent up on last year.

Its director-general Paul Smee said: “First-time buyers are continuing to take advantage of more favourable market conditions.”