Andy Burnham announces scheme to help first-time buyers

Image source, EPA Image caption, The prime minister arriving with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, on the eve of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is to introduce a new scheme to try to help people "who have given up hope of ever having a home to call their own" get on the property ladder.

The "Your First Home" scheme would be open to first-time buyers in England with a deposit of 2.5%. It would provide them with a loan worth 20% of their new build property's value to help pay for the purchase.

On Sunday, the government also shared plans it said would make it simpler for councils to take over empty homes to provide housing for those in need.

The announcements come as the prime minister prepares for his first Labour conference as leader.