There were high hopes that the Spring Budget 2024 would reveal new measures to support first-time buyers. Alternatively, there was a faint wish for a comeback of the Help-to-Buy scheme, which wrapped up last year.
However, both were conspicuously absent from the announcement.
Moreover, the much-debated 99% mortgage scheme, flaunted in January? Utterly nowhere to be seen.
Perhaps this omission is somewhat of a silver lining, considering the scheme was judged as unfit for its intended aim.
The Chancellor unveiled a £242 million investment for the development of 8,000 homes in Barking Riverside and Canary Wharf, along with a £20 million initiative for community-led housing.
Still, he announced nothing else to ease access to the housing market.