Young first-time buyers will be given a boost in next week's budget by the return of 95% mortgages. The new scheme, to be unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, will see more mortgages with deposits of just 5% made available. The Tories are trying to stimulate the housing market and get more younger people onto the housing ladder. Boris Johnson said he wants to "turn generation rent into generation buy". Mortgages with 5% deposits have been stopped by most banks during the Covid pandemic. The new scheme is to be a successor to the Help to Buy mortgage scheme introduced by David Cameron and George Osborne in 2013, and Treasury officials are hopeful it could have a big impact on the market, the Times reports. It comes as Mr Sunak also is expected to announce that the stamp duty deadline of March 31 is extended for up to three months longer. Currently all property purchases up to £500,000 are exempt from stamp duty, but the holiday is due to end next month, … [Read more...] about Budget 2021: First-time buyers to get major mortgage boost with return of 5% deposits
15 year balloon mortgage rates
COVID-19 infection rates drop again across the UK, according to ONS data
Coronavirus infection rates in the community have continued to fall further across the UK, according to the latest figures. The estimates published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday showed around one in 145 people in private households across England had COVID-19 between 13 and 19 February - down from one in 115 the week prior . This is the lowest figure since the week of 2 and 8 October, when infection estimates were at one in 160 people. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world A similar drop was seen elsewhere across the board. In Wales, around one in 205 people were estimated to have COVID in the same week, also down from one in 125. Advertisement In Scotland, the figure was around one in 225 people, down from one in 180, while in Northern Ireland it was around one in 195 people, down from one in 105. More from Covid-19 COVID-19: 'Don't wreck this now,' warns Jonathan Van-Tam as some … [Read more...] about COVID-19 infection rates drop again across the UK, according to ONS data
Ireland 13 France 15: Hosts suffer third straight Six Nations defeat as French win first Dublin game in a decade
IRELAND suffered a third straight defeat in the Six Nations as France edged out winners at the Aviva Stadium. Andy Farrell’s side were beaten in Paris in October and Fabien Galthie’s side were again too good as they claimed their first win in Dublin in a decade. Throw in the loss to Wales last weekend and it is a miserable streak for Ireland, who were without many of their star names for this clash. Ireland were decent in the first half but contrived to go in seven points behind at the break. France were dominant after the break but made life difficult for themselves before ultimately emerging as victors. Ireland started the game well and were dominant in the set-piece, particularly in the lineout where they succeeded in disrupting France. But a fumble following a good Rhys Ruddock take provided France with their first opportunity to take the lead. A penalty was eventually conceded but Matthie Jalibert kicked it wide, as did Billy Burns with his first effort … [Read more...] about Ireland 13 France 15: Hosts suffer third straight Six Nations defeat as French win first Dublin game in a decade
Family of 15 face homelessness if house big enough for them all can’t be found in time
A couple and their 13 children are facing homelessness if a house big enough for them doesn’t become available in the next nine weeks. Deborah and Craig Douglas have until the end of April to move out of their home in Dumfries after their landlady decided to sell up. Despite applying for a number of private lets and pleading with housing associations, the family still haven’t found anywhere big enough for their brood. And Deborah, 38, feels they are being “discriminated” against because of the size of their family. She said: “We’ve been in our current home for nearly five years but the landlady told us in November 2019 she was selling. “I immediately went to the council’s homeless department but 15 months down the line, they still haven’t found anywhere for us to go. “We’ve now got just nine weeks to find somewhere or we’ll be out in the street. “It’s only thanks to our fantastic landlady that we’re not already homeless but she can’t wait much longer. “My husband … [Read more...] about Family of 15 face homelessness if house big enough for them all can’t be found in time
Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 delayed by a YEAR as game-makers blame ‘Covid challenges’
CAR racing video game Gran Turismo 7 will now be delayed until 2022. Sony has revealed that the highly anticipated game won't be released until next year due to Covid-19 issues. The global pandemic has caused a lot of production issues in many industries and that includes those developing video games. Sony told GQ : " GT7 has been impacted by Covid-related production challenges and therefore will shift from 2021 to 2022. "With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a dynamic and changing situation and some critical aspects of game production have been slowed over the past several months. "We’ll share more specifics on GT7 ’s release date when available." Gran Turismo 7 will aim to give users a realistic racing car driver experience. This includes the high speeds, crashes and occasionally rather dangerous weather conditions. It seems Gran Turismo 7 will be a flagship exclusive for the PS5. The game aims to put players firmly in the driving seat and even includes … [Read more...] about Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 delayed by a YEAR as game-makers blame ‘Covid challenges’