A building society has become the first in the UK to launch a new 100% mortgage scheme aimed at renters and first time buyers.
As the cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt in every area of society, with renters and first time buyers facing a constant uphill battle to get on the property ladder, and average house prices seemingly rising month on month, Skipton Building Society has launched a new deposit-free mortgage scheme.
Skipton says it “recognised a gap in the market”, and its new offering is therefore mostly aimed at those “trapped in rental cycles”.
While it’s true that there is a handful of other deposit-free mortgage deals available at the moment, they all need the financial backing of family or friends, the BBC reports, which means they are often only an option for those from well-off backgrounds, whereas Skipton’s new scheme is also available to those who don’t have access to “the bank of mum and dad”.
UK mortgage lender launches new deposit-free mortgage aimed at renters / Credit: Pixabay
Available up to 100%, the new product does require 12 months of on-time rental payments and a good credit history, but those applying do not need a guarantor.
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The interest rate is at 5.49% though, which is more expensive than the average five-year fix of 5%.
Data issued by Halifax earlier this year found that the average deposit amount put down by first time buyers in 2022 was £62,470, which is up 8% on 2021.
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The last UK lender offering standard 100% mortgages where no deposit was required withdrew from the market 15 years ago – which means Skipton’s new deal is the first available since the 2008 financial crisis.
Understood to be launching anywhere within the next couple of days or weeks, precise details of how the deal will work are yet to be revealed.
The new offer requires proof of 12 months of on-time rental payments and a good credit history / Credit: Unsplash
Skipton’s new deal comes after the government’s Help to Buy scheme officially closed to new applicants back in October 2022.
It’s expected that the new scheme may not be welcomed by everyone though, and could be met with some criticism, as zero-deposit mortgages and riskier mortgages with a high loan-to-value were believed to be one of the root causes of the 2008 financial crash.
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Geograph)
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Greater Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 26 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched this past Saturday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Erst, Climat, 10 Tib Lane, Ezra & Gill, Tartuffe, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, which plugs into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding that makes all the difference.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2025, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference.”
Featured Image – John Carey (Supplied)
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Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
9th May 2023 
