The change could decrease the amount needed for a customer’s average new build deposit by £20,000.

IMLA says the wide-ranging regulation that was put in place in response to the financial crisis has hindered first-time buyers.

The average first-time buyer mortgage payment has significantly outpaced wage growth, which is up by 27% over the same five-year period.

Despite this, 68% of first-time buyers were unsure what shared ownership means.

When interest rates were at lower levels, most buyers with a 10% or 5% deposit found mortgage payments comparable to, or less than, their current rent.

One-in-five buyers are now over the age of 40.

The Conservatives have pledged to make the £425,000 stamp duty threshold permanent.

Patrick Bamford, head of international business development at Qualis Credit Risk, explores what policies the main political parties could put forward in their manifestos to help...

The General Election announcement, a double helping of bank holidays, and stubborn base rates hampered mortgage market activity in May.

65% either defined shared ownership incorrectly or were unable to do so at all.