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The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year, having already helped over 24,000 households get onto the property ladder.
Launched in April 2021, the scheme supports first-time buyers, who make up 85% of scheme transactions, buy a home with a 5% deposit.
The scheme is just one of the ways the government is helping people with home ownership.
The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year to the end of December 2023, helping people with 5% deposits on to the property ladder.

Under the scheme the government offers lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%, subject to the usual affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.

Launched in April 2021, the scheme has already helped over 24,000 households. It was originally planned to close at the end of this year but will now be extended until the end of 2023.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP said:

“For hard-working families facing today’s challenging economic conditions, it’s right that we continue to help them secure their first home or move into their dream house.

“Extending this scheme means thousands more have the chance to benefit, and supports the market as we navigate through these difficult times.”

Since 2010, more than 687,000 households have been helped into home ownership through government schemes. First time buyers often find it hard to save for a large deposit, and the mortgage guarantee has helped over 24,000 households (as of November 2022) overcome this barrier and secure the keys to a new home with a deposit as small as 5%.

As well as first time buyers and current homeowners, the scheme has also helped support the wider housing sector. Lenders reduced the availability of high LTV products during the Covid-19 pandemic, with just eight 95% LTV products available in January 2021. The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped restore competition and consumer choice to the market, which has benefited businesses and boosted the market.

To also support people to get onto the property ladder, the government has increased the level where first-time buyers start paying stamp duty from £300,000 to £425,000. Furthermore, first-time buyers can get relief on properties costing up to £625,000, as opposed to £500,00 previously. Both of these measures are time-limited to April 2025.

The government has also continued to provide a range of other options to support home ownership and the wider housing sector. For example, the Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA have collectively facilitated over 618,000 households get on to the property ladder

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year, having already helped over 24,000 households get onto the property ladder.Launched in April 2021, the scheme supports first-time buyers, who make up 85% of scheme transactions, buy a home with a 5% deposit.The scheme is just one of the ways the government is helping people with home ownership.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year to the end of December 2023, helping people with 5% deposits on to the property ladder.Under the scheme the government offers lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%, subject to the usual affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.Launched in April 2021, the scheme has already helped over 24,000 households. It was originally planned to close at the end of this year but will now be extended until the end of 2023.Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP said:“For hard-working families facing today’s challenging economic conditions, it’s right that we continue to help them secure their first home or move into their dream house.“Extending this scheme means thousands more have the chance to benefit, and supports the market as we navigate through these difficult times.”    Since 2010, more than 687,000 households have been helped into home ownership through government schemes. First time buyers often find it hard to save for a large deposit, and the mortgage guarantee has helped over 24,000 households (as of November 2022) overcome this barrier and secure the keys to a new home with a deposit as small as 5%.As well as first time buyers and current homeowners, the scheme has also helped support the wider housing sector. Lenders reduced the availability of high LTV products during the Covid-19 pandemic, with just eight 95% LTV products available in January 2021. The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped restore competition and consumer choice to the market, which has benefited businesses and boosted the market.To also support people to get onto the property ladder, the government has increased the level where first-time buyers start paying stamp duty from £300,000 to £425,000. Furthermore, first-time buyers can get relief on properties costing up to £625,000, as opposed to £500,00 previously. Both of these measures are time-limited to April 2025.The government has also continued to provide a range of other options to support home ownership and the wider housing sector. For example, the Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA have collectively facilitated over 618,000 households get on to the property ladder

Social security spending will increase to more than £5.1 billion per year through the 2023-24 Budget, supporting around a million people and helping to drive progress towards Scotland’s long term aim of eradicating child poverty.

The centrepiece of this investment is the Scottish Child Payment, which has been increased to £25 per child per week, a 150% increase since April 2022. It is now available to all eligible under 16s – around 387,000 children.

All other Scottish benefits will be uprated in April 2023 by 10.1%, at a cost of £428 million and the Scottish Welfare Fund has been maintained at £41m.

Total spending on social security will be more than £770 million above the funding received for social security through the UK Government Block Grant Adjustment.

The Budget also includes:

• £84 million for Discretionary Housing Payment to mitigate directly the impact of UK Government policies including the bedroom tax and benefit cap
• £752 million for the affordable housing supply programme to ensure continued delivery of high quality, affordable homes across Scotland which can contribute to tackling inequality and child poverty

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Through this Budget we are taking bold action to address the deep inequalities in our society – putting more money in people’s pockets today and working to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.

“Despite the challenging financial position and the corrosive effect of UK Government economic mismanagement and soaring inflation on our budget, our child poverty targets remain ambitious. That is why we are choosing to invest significantly more in social security than the funding we receive from Westminster and helping to mitigate the damaging impact of UK Government welfare cuts.

“The many fair and progressive decisions in this Budget – including funding for housing, education and transport – will help to deliver long-term, structural change as we continue to work with local government colleagues and our partners in the third sector to tackle poverty and support all of Scotland’s families to thrive.”

The 2023-24 Budget will tackle child poverty by:

• Forecast investment of £5.1 billion in social security including devolved benefits and the Scottish Welfare Fund
• Delivering continued investment in the Scottish Child Payment, increased to £25 per week from November 2022 – one of five family benefits, four of which are only available in Scotland
• Uprating all other Scottish benefits in April 2023 by September CPI (10.1%)
• Investing £752 million in the affordable housing supply programme
• Providing £80 million of capital funding to support the expansion of free school meals
• Providing £20 million to extend the Fuel Insecurity Fund into 2023‑24 – a lifeline against rising energy prices
• Continuing to invest in employability programmes that prioritise people who face complex barriers to accessing the labour market, including parents
• Continuing to invest around £1 billion in high quality early learning and childcare provision, with a further £42 million invested in holiday food provision and expanding our support for school age childcare.
• Providing £50 million for the whole family wellbeing programme and a further £30 million to #KeepThePromise to care experienced children and young people
• Increasing spend on concessionary travel schemes, providing access to free bus travel for over 2 million people, including all under 22 year olds.
• Maintaining £200 million annual investment in the Scottish Attainment Challenge to increase the pace of progress on closing the poverty‑related attainment gap.

Responding to the Scottish Budget, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, John Dickie, said: “The use of this Budget to invest in children and double the new Scottish child payment is absolutely the right thing to do.

“It really is a big step forward on the path to meeting Scotland’s child poverty targets. The increased payment will be welcomed by families across the country who are currently facing impossible choices trying to make ends meet as universal credit cuts bite, energy prices soar and the wider costs of living rise. They will spend the extra cash in local shops and businesses, helping to drive economic recovery.

“More action will be needed in the years ahead to ensure child poverty targets are met and every child grows up with adequate resources to give them a decent start in life.

“As a country we must build on today’s Budget breakthrough and continue to invest in the social security, childcare, decent jobs, housing and local public services that are critical to families.”

Do you ever wonder what kind of information your favourite online shops collect about you? It’s probably a lot more than you think!

Cyber security experts at VPNOverview have analysed the privacy policies of some of the biggest online retailers in the UK to establish which sites compromise your privacy the most.

Despite the ease of Christmas shopping from the comfort of your home, online shopping comes with its own hazards, and your online privacy is always at risk. It turns out that when you press the checkout button, it’s not just money that is taken from you; online shops save everything from your phone number and location to your date of birth and bank details.

Detailed below are the top five companies that collect the most data from their customers*:

Link to the infographic:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2cpg281qxy76ogk/types-of-data-online-shopping-sites-collect-full-width-table.webp?dl=0

1. Amazon: King of data collection

Overall, Amazon was found to be the site with the most points of data collected. The online retailer giant took a staggeringly high £23.19 billion of revenue in 2021 in the UK alone. But that’s not the only valuable thing they took from their customers: Amazon’s website collects 60 different pieces of personal information. This ranges from the basics of name, address, and phone number to Alexa voice recordings, your friend’s emails, and even your credit history information from credit bureaus.

2. AO: Trade your personal information for tech

For those who are looking to give home and tech gifts this year, AO’s sales might be on your radar already — but AO has its eyes on you, too. The site is responsible for collecting 38 elements of your private information, earning it a second place on the list.

The data collected ranges from expected info like your name and address to your preferences, the size of your family, and how affluent you are. You’re not alone if you’re wondering why AO needs all of this information. Does the company really need to know your gender and marital status to send you your Christmas orders? We sincerely doubt it.

3. John Lewis: From social media handles to your ID

If you’re planning on gifting homeware, fashion, and electricals for Christmas this year, you may be heading to John Lewis’ website. We found that this luxury retailer took the third-largest amount of data from its visitors, collecting 31 elements, including your social media handle, clothing size, and identification documents.

In some cases, it makes sense for the company to be aware of this kind of information. Their privacy policy mentions that your social media username will be known to them if you interact with the company through those platforms. However, they actively store and use this information to tailor your shopping experience — in other words, to hopefully get you to spend more money.

4. Currys: Share your financial position with Currys

The homeware appliance and technology online shop collected 29 pieces of information from their customers, the most notable being subscription services and your financial position. They even collect the date and time of texts and calls you receive on their network and your location at the time they take place.

Although Currys comes in at number 4 on our list, some of the details they might be gathering about you are particularly alarming. Not even Amazon asks you for data about your current job or financial status. This information might seem trivial but imagine how uncomfortable you’d feel if the person behind the counter asked you how much you earn before handing you your change.

5. ASOS: Data collection — but make it fashion

For those of you heading to ASOS to buy your Christmas presents this winter, be wary. This clothing retailer is another top contender for collecting the most data on its customers. It ends up closing our top five with 20 kinds of personal data.

The research found that the clothing site collects basic information and records your body shape and size, screen name, saved items, and past purchases.

Tips to Keep Your Data Secure While Online Shopping

If you don’t want these big corporations to gather so much information about you, you can take some easy steps to minimise the amount of data that websites collect on you. Here are the three most effective steps:

• Disable and delete third-party cookies: Next time you go online shopping, don’t click “allow all cookies” without a second thought. If you do, you give these websites permission to track you. Third-party cookies are used to track your activity between sites, so they can create a scarily accurate profile on who you are and what you like. If you can, disable these third-party cookies (along with other unnecessary trackers) and delete the existing ones from your browser.

• Think twice before you share personal details: Many platforms allow you to create your own profile with a profile picture, date of birth, checkout details, and a variety of other facts about your life. Before you fill this in, always consider whether the website actually needs that information for the service they offer. If you have the option, don’t fill out these details and leave them blank instead.

• Use a VPN: Some people might advise using your browser’s incognito mode to stay anonymous online, but this doesn’t work. “Private mode” isn’t enough if you don’t want your data to be saved anywhere. Instead, consider getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your information and hides your IP address, meaning that websites won’t be able to read your location and other bits of personal information as easily.

In short, if you want to stay safe while online shopping, you need to watch your cookies, think critically, and use the right technology. This will give you excellent protection against big corporations and their data collection schemes.

A representative from VPNOverview commented on the study: “Online shoppers must be careful when navigating these sites and making purchases for Christmas this year.

“Although some of the information being collected is essential to the site’s functionality, having your financial status or the number of family members you have to be shared with faceless corporations can be rather alarming. 

“In most cases, customers have no idea where that information could end up or how it could be used. 

“If you’re looking for a VPN to try, we recommend Surfshark. This VPN provider is relatively cheap and works well on desktops, smartphones, and countless other devices. Moreover, Surfshark might even enable you to get better Christmas deals and escape price discrimination. If you’re interested, you can always check out the Surfshark website.”

VPNOverview are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible. 

TV Dragon Deborah Meaden and vet Dr Marc Abraham OBE join almost 400,000 people calling on both the UK and Scottish Governments to End the Cage Age

Compassion in World Farming submitted a petition to the Scottish Government in Edinburgh and to Defra in London this week, calling for an end to the use of cages in UK farming.

Almost 400,000 people signed the petition urging all the governments across the UK to End the Cage Age and to usher in a new era in farming of which Britain can be truly proud.

Up to 16 million farm animals are trapped in cages every year in the UK. Sows are forced to nurse their piglets in crates, and egg laying hens endure their whole lives crammed in cages, with barely enough space to stretch their wings. These systems cause immense misery, are cruel and unnecessary.

Despite the Scottish and UK Governments promising consultations on the use of cages in farming, both have yet to take any meaningful action to free millions of animals from behind bars.

In their 2021-22 ‘Programme for Government’, the Scottish Government stated that they would “start consultation this year on proposals to… phase out cages for gamebirds and laying hens, and farrowing crates for pigs.”

This followed an SNP 2021 manifesto commitment to “adopt the highest possible animal welfare standards, including shifting to entirely free range, woodland or barn chicken and egg production.”

Despite these encouraging words, no further progress has been made.

In June, the UK Government announced they would bring forward consultations on the use of cages for laying hens and crates for farrowing sows but failed to set a timeline for this to happen.

As with the Scottish Government’s pledge, six-months later, these promised consultations have yet to happen.

Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, who added her name to the petition, said: “Both the UK and Scottish Governments have failed to deliver their commitments to review caged farming. This simply isn’t good enough!

“Cages inflict immense misery on enormous numbers of UK farm animals. They are cruel and unnecessary, as higher-welfare cage-free systems are viable. It’s time for UK and Scottish Governments to free millions of animals from a life of suffering behind bars.”

The names of 392,063 people who signed the petition – including Deborah Meaden – filled a cage, which was wrapped and presented to the Scottish Government as a Christmas ‘gift’ alongside placards which will read ‘Dear Scottish Government, All we want for Christmas is action on cages’.

A cage was also delivered to Defra by TV vet and author Marc Abraham OBE.

Sarah Moyes, Compassion in World Farming’s Senior Campaigns Manger, said: “Right now, millions of animals are suffering, in cages across the UK.

That’s why we have presented the names of almost 400,000 people to the Scottish Government today, who finally want to see action on cages. The Scottish Government and Defra have made pledges, now it’s time to follow through and deliver.

“It’s time to End the Cage Age.”

• Car theft identified as a gateway crime for young people who then go on to commit more serious offences such as burglary
• 1,156 under 18’s were charged with vehicle theft between 2019-2021
• Children as young as 12 have been charged with car theft in the past three years
• Findings revealed by Direct Line’s “Truth about Car Theft” campaign, in partnership with the University of Huddersfield

New research from Direct Line Motor Insurance reveals 1,156 people under the age of 18 have been charged with vehicle theft in the past three years, the equivalent of more than one per day. The statistics also reveal that children as young as 12 have been charged with the crime.

More than half (53 per cent) of under-18s charged with vehicle theft in the past three years were aged between 15 and 16. However, 10 per cent of those charges were aged between 13 and 14. Seven children aged between 11-12 were also charged during this period. South Yorkshire Police revealed children as young as 10 have been arrested for car theft in each of the past three years².

The figures show that 514 under-18s were charged with vehicle theft in 2019. The number of young people charged fell to 356 in 2020 and 286 in 2021 when pandemic travel restrictions were in force. However, there are concerns the number of under-18s charged with vehicle theft could increase again now that restrictions have ended.

The research is based on insight from Direct Line’s ‘Truth about Car Theft’ campaign with the University of Huddersfield.³ The study, based on detailed academic interviews of convicted car thieves reveals car theft can be a gateway crime to more serious offences.  During the interviews, one offender stated: “They say car crime is a gateway of crime. Yes. That’s how it was for me anyway. I’ve done everything. Town robberies and everything”.

Another said his family got him involved: “When I was young, my father, he told me when I was eight, I was driving round the park and his brother signed me up. My mum and dad split up…My dad came back on the scene and yes, he got me taking a few cars here and there. Then I went on being on my own, doing cars on my own”. 

A third offender started: “I got into drugs at a young age. I was about 14 when I fell into drugs and car crime just came hand-in-hand with it”. He used heroin and crack cocaine and was committing crimes under the influence of those drugs.

The offender explained why he ‘chose’ vehicle crime over other offences: “It was one of three options. It was either shoplifting, which is embarrassing and degrading. There’s burglary, which carries a lot more time, more jail, and then there’s car crime which is, we used to say when we were kids, taking candy from a baby.”

The notion of car theft as a gateway crime is supported by data from West Yorkshire Police. It shows 765 people aged under 18 in the region were charged with other offences between 2019 and 2022, having previously been charged with vehicle theft. Of these, 180 young people were charged with burglary having previously been charged with vehicle theft.

Professor Rachel Armitage, Professor of Criminology, University of Huddersfield, said: “Our research found many prolific car thieves start committing vehicle crime at a young age, often in their early teens.

“Unfortunately, car crime can often be a gateway crime to more serious offences.  Offending can sadly be driven by older family members, or to fund an illegal drug habit, so it is important we also consider how vulnerable children can be supported to help prevent them engaging in criminal activity in the first place.”  

  

Lorraine Price, head of motor insurance at Direct Line, commented: “More than one car theft each day is committed by a child or teenager, which is a sad reflection of our society.

“That children as young as 12 are being charged with vehicle theft is truly shocking.  Children should be focussing on school and having fun, they should be protected from older family members or associates seeking to lead them into a life of crime.”    

“Having your car stolen can be incredibly distressing and cause significant inconvenience for the victim. While car owners shouldn’t have to take additional precautions to protect their vehicles, they can reduce the risk of being targeted.” 

How to reduce the risk of car theft

While car crime is never the fault of the victim, there are steps motorists can take to help reduce their risk of being targeted, or to help retrieve their vehicle if it is stolen:

• Trackers: Using a tracker within your car can play a big part in getting your car retrieved
• Alarms: Use of a motion-sensor alarm in your drive, particularly using a recorded voice, can deter a car thief from entering your car
• Cleanliness: Having a tidy car also helps, as a car thief will see a messy car and typically think there is something of value underneath the debris
• Bollards and CCTV: Consider installing a parking post or bollard to block in your vehicle on the drive and CCTV cameras to help deter thieves
• Keys: Don’t leave them visible, use a faraday pouch to store keys at home to help prevent against relay theft
• Entry/exit noise: For example, having a gravel driveway – noise is a deterrent for car thieves
• Deterrents: A car behind a gate, lights, or even a dog are big deterrent for car thieves