The UK government has announced this that a new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme aimed at getting First Time Buyers on the property ladder will be launching next month.
Homes England has revealed that applications for the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme – which sees the government lend up to 20% (40% in London) of the cost of your newly-built home – will open on Wednesday 16th December.
First Time Buyers will be able to apply for new build homes, and it will cover the period of 2021 – 2023.
Those ready to get their foot in the housing market will need to provide a deposit of at least 5%, and the mortgage offer must be to the value of 25% or higher in order to make up the remaining amount.
No interest will be charged on the 20% loan for the first five years of owning the home.
There are also a number of eligibility requirements for the house, which states that it must be newly-built and can cost up to £600,000, and it’s also required that applicants can provide proof of the ability to afford the monthly fee and interest payments.
They must also not own any other properties, and are not permitted to sublet or rent out the property after purchasing it.
Homes can be reserved using the scheme from mid-December, allowing purchasers to collect the keys to move in to their new property from 1st April 2021.
The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme is due to end on 31st March 2023.
Speaking about the new scheme, Robert Jenrick – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – said: “The government is providing more ways to help families onto the housing ladder, and provide that life-changing moment when you get the keys to your own home.
“Alongside First Homes, Shared Ownership and our £12bn investment in affordable housing, our new Help to Buy scheme will help thousands more families take their first step into a home of their own.”
Homebuyers can apply for a Help to Buy: Equity Loan (2021-2023) from 16 December 2020, with a homebuilder registered for the scheme. pic.twitter.com/IcTPzE78VX
Will German – Director of Help to Buy at Homes England – added: “Help to Buy has already helped more than 270,000 people into homeownership and 82% are first-time buyers. We’re pleased we can help homebuyers with smaller deposits to own a home, at a time when there are fewer options open to them.
“Housing, like most sectors, has experienced a slowdown during the COVID crisis, but Help to Buy continues to give homebuilders the confidence to keep on building at a more crucial time than ever.”
Those planning on utilising the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme are encouraged to note that Homes England will then have an entitlement to any proceeds in the future sale of the home, and will seek to take the same percentage of the profits as what it originally put in.
You can find more information about the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme via the gov.uk website here.
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Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Emily Sergeant -
19th November 2020 
