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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Police appeal after Rochdale woman, 75, was burgled by man in clown outfit on Halloween
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information has been made following reports of a burglary in Rochdale last week on Halloween.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 7:10pm on Halloween (Friday 31 October), a woman on Birch Road in Rochdale answered the door to a man – who is believed to have been dressed in a clown outfit – and he proceeded to ask for a drink before following the woman into her address and stealing several items, then running away.
He took a red purse with the woman’s mother’s wedding ring inside of it – which is said to be of ‘extremely’ sentimental value.
Police say the man may have discarded the ring once he left the victim’s address, but he did use one of her stolen cards at a shop later that evening.
Birch Road in Rochdale, where the shocking incident happened / Credit: Google Maps
Thankfully, the woman – aged 75 – was left unhurt, but she has been left shocked and upset by the incident.
“This was a shocking incident, which has left a woman feeling unsafe in her own home,” commented Detective Sergeant Ruth Thompson, from GMP’s Rochdale district.
“She has spent many years helping the homeless and working for local charities, so it is particularly grim that someone would exploit her goodwill.”
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following reports of a burglary in Rochdale on Friday (31 October).
At around 7.10pm that evening on Birch Road, a 75-year-old woman answered the door to a man, who then entered her home.
Investigating officers have now released an image of a man they would like to speak to, alongside the wider public appeal for information, as it’s believed it could help with their enquiries.
DS Thompson added: “While I appreciate the image quality isn’t the greatest, I hope that someone may recognise the costume and it jogs their memory.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3012 of 31/10/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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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.
Emily Sergeant -
9th May 2023 
