• UK annual house price growth steady at 2.1%

• London again weakest performing region, with house prices down 1% year-on-year

Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said: "UK house price growth remained broadly stable in March at 2.1%, little changed from the 2.2% recorded the previous month. House prices fell by 0.2% over the month, after taking account of seasonal factors. "On the surface, the relatively subdued pace of house price growth appears at odds with recent healthy rates of employment growth, a modest pick-up in wage growth and historically low borrowing costs. However, consumer confidence has remained subdued, due to the ongoing squeeze on household finances as wage growth continues to lag behind increases in the cost of living".