Government evaluation finds most Help to Buy customers could have afforded a home without the scheme

An evaluation published by MHCLG on 15 September found that 78% of Help to Buy 1 customers and 62% of Help to Buy 2 customers could have afforded a local average first-time buyer home without the equity loan, across more than 387,000 purchases between 2013 and 2023. It also estimates the scheme was behind around 15% of new builds in England over that period and pushed prices about 2% higher during its first phase, with a further premium of around 1% on scheme homes. For buyers, the findings matter because any future deposit support is likely to be designed around them, with more focus on those who cannot save a deposit. For sellers of new-build homes bought with Help to Buy, the report is a reminder that the original purchase price may have included a premium. This is a review of a closed scheme, not a new policy.