The Office for National Statistics said that UK average house prices increased by 8.0% over the year to July 2021, down from 13.1% in June 2021. June was the last month for buyers in England and Northern Ireland to take full advantage of a temporary tax break on property purchases.

The average UK house price was £256,000 in July 2021, which is £19,000 higher than this time last year, following the record high of £265,000 in June 2021.

Average house prices increased over the year in England to £271,000 (7%), in Wales to £188,000 (11.6%), in Scotland to £177,000 (14.6%) and in Northern Ireland to £153,000 (9.0%).

London continues to be the region with the lowest annual growth (2.2%) for the eighth consecutive month.