Help to Buy scheme found to provide high value for money

A government evaluation of the Help to Buy scheme, which operated between 2013 and 2023, has concluded that the initiative provided ‘very high value for money.’ The report estimates the scheme generated approximately £25 billion in social value and net value in 2024/25 prices over its lifetime.

The analysis found that the programme successfully expanded home ownership, particularly in more affordable housing markets. Approximately 46% of participants indicated they would not have been able to purchase a home without the scheme’s assistance, while the remaining 54% reported that the support allowed them to purchase larger or higher-quality properties.

Despite these successes, the evaluation noted that the scheme had little effect in more expensive areas and contributed to price increases in those regions. The findings come amid internal government discussions regarding a potential successor. While some officials advocated for a revised version of the initiative, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rejected the proposal, opting instead to focus on increasing housing supply through planning reforms and development incentives.