Paul Stockwell, Chief Commercial Officer at Gatehouse Bank, comments on June’s ONS UK House Price Index data

“This is the first comprehensive look at the performance of the UK property market following lockdown, building on previous indices and reports of home finance application numbers edging closer to pre-pandemic levels.

“The 3.4% year on year rise in prices shows just how quickly buyers and sellers pushed on with their delayed transactions when the market reopened in June, driving demand even before the stamp duty discount was announced.

“The East Midlands and the North West have performed particularly strongly. Meanwhile London recorded an annual 4.2% rise, despite suggestions many are leaving the capital in search of larger properties further afield where they can work from home.

“We can be optimistic that these shoots of recovery are just the beginning. Lenders have been exceptionally busy with an abundance of mortgage applications since the stamp duty announcement in early July incentivised buyers, and that healthy demand seems to be persisting as we enter the autumn.”