The number of new homes that became available in England dived to a record low during the past year, figures showed today.

The number of new properties being built in the UK jumped by 63% during the second quarter as the housebuilding industry continued to show signs of revival, figures showed today.

House prices dived by 2.7% during August as the number of first-time buyers getting on to the property ladder slumped to a record low, figures showed today.

British home sellers have slashed their asking prices by more than £4,000 (€5,000) during the past month as the number of properties on the market hits a new high, figures showed today.

Gloomy data on the British housing market continued to stack up today with Government figures showing prices fell by 1.6% during February.