{
  "id": 10017852,
  "title": "Andy Burnham announces new homes scheme for first-time buyers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/andy-burnham-announces-new-homes-scheme-for-first-time-buyers",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T16:19:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/26/andy-burnham-announces-new-scheme-for-first-time-home-buyers-england"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Andy Burnham, a key Labour Party politician, unveiled a new help-to-buy scheme in England during a policy announcement, aimed at assisting more first-time buyers in the property market. The initiative, dubbed \"Your first home,\" targets young individuals who lack the financial support of their families and may not have saved enough for a substantial deposit. The scheme provides first-time buyers with a 20% equity loan, allowing them to purchase new-build homes with a minimum deposit requirement of just 2.5%. The government has introduced income and deposit caps to ensure that the scheme benefits those who might struggle to afford a home without assistance.\n\nPrime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of giving first-time buyers the keys to their own homes, especially for those unable to rely on their families for financial support. Burnham also announced plans to strengthen local authorities' powers to take over long-term empty and derelict properties, reversing recent changes made by the Conservatives. These reforms aim to address the issue of empty dwellings and accelerate their return to productive use. The government plans to fund the programme by re-prioritising existing budgets, although it is unclear whether this will involve cuts to other areas. Developers will contribute to the scheme's running costs through a fee based on property values. Burnham denied concerns that the scheme might drive up house prices, stating that the government is committed to building more homes across the country to increase supply and maintain affordability.",
  "summary": "Exclusive: Policy initiative for England will help more young people on to property ladder, prime minister tells Guardian A new help-to-buy scheme aimed at giving first-time buyers who cannot rely on the “bank of mum and dad” is to be introduced in a big policy announcement by Andy Burnham. The programme, called “Your first home”, is intended to help buyers in England who have a regular income…",
  "key_points": [
    "Labour politician Andy Burnham unveils new help-to-buy scheme in England.",
    "\"Your first home\" scheme offers 20% equity loan for first-time buyers with 2.5% minimum deposit.",
    "Government aims to strengthen local authorities' powers to acquire derelict properties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}