More people buy there council homes as House Prices continue to rise

New figures suggest there has been an accelerated take-up of the government's Help to Buy Scheme.

The rate of house price inflation in the UK is continuing to rise, according to official statistics.

Prices in the year to June rose by 3.1%, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS), up from 2.9% in May.

A separate industry survey suggests that home buyer activity is increasing fastest in parts of the UK where prices have been the most depressed.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) says prices are rising at their fastest since November 2006.

The largest rise in activity came in the West Midlands and the North East.

Every region saw prices rise, Rics said, although London and the areas around it continued to see the biggest price increases.