“In my view, Help to Buy accelerated access to home ownership. Many buyers simply did not have the 25% or even 15% deposits typically required, and the scheme enabled them to purchase much sooner than would otherwise have been possible.”
That distinction is now central to the debate. If schemes primarily accelerate demand rather than broaden access, their long-term impact becomes more limited.
Since the scheme ended, lenders have moved to fill part of that gap, particularly through higher loan-to-value lending.
“Since the scheme ended, lenders have stepped up. They are now supporting first-time buyers and new-build purchases with lending of up to 95%, including on flats, helping to bridge the gap left by Help to Buy’s withdrawal.”
The shift has reduced the immediate need for a direct replacement, but has also highlighted some of the longer-term challenges linked to the equity loan structure.