Pitch to give first-time buyers a leg up on ladder

FIRST-TIME buyers would be given priority to purchase newbuild homes under plans developed by the Labour Party.

It also vowed to end the ‘outrageous practice’ of foreign investors snapping up developments before locals can even view them.

And under the proposals – to be unveiled at the party’s annual conference next week – town halls and communities would be given powers to turn land into affordable homes and to spruce up high streets.

Overall, Labour wants to restore the link between average earnings and property prices. Housing spokesman Lucy Powell pledged first-time buyers will get ‘first dibs’ on new developments, adding: ‘Labour is the party of home ownership, the Tories are the party of developers.’