• House prices in the three months to July increased by 3.3% against the same period a year earlier with the average house price rising to hit a new record of £230,280

• On a monthly basis, prices rose by 1.4% in July, while in the latest quarter (May-July) prices were 1.3% higher than in the preceding three months (February-April 2018).

Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: "House prices picked up in July, with the annual rate of growth rising from 1.8% in June to 3.3% in July, the largest increase since last November. The average house price is now £230,280, the highest on record. House prices in the three months to July were 1.3% higher than in the previous quarter, the fastest quarterly increase, again, since November. "While the quarterly and annual rates of house price growth have improved, housing activity remains soft. Despite the recent modest improvement in mortgage approvals, the latest survey data for new buyer enquiries and agreed sales suggest that approvals will remain broadly flat until the end of the year".