Housing Secretary backs Lloyds-Connells-LMS digital homebuying service in push to cut conveyancing delays

Housing Secretary Steve Reed endorsed a new fully digital homebuying service launched by Lloyds Banking Group, Connells Group and LMS on 22 April, designed to integrate estate agency, mortgage and conveyancing into a single workflow. Sellers would become 'digital sale ready' at listing, with identity, funds and property data captured upfront via the LMS National Property Transaction Network and reused across parties. For sellers that means more paperwork early but fewer late-stage fall-throughs; for buyers, quicker source-of-funds checks and shorter offer-to-exchange times. It is a commercial launch with government backing, not new legislation — the underlying MHCLG reform package remains in proposal form.