Manchester named top hotspot for first-time buyers in Halifax study

Research covering UK outside Greater London places city ahead of Slough, Sandwell and others

Manchester has been named the first-time buyer capital of Britain" after data revealed that those taking their first step on the property ladder accounted for 75% of home purchases made in the city with a mortgage last year.

The research from the mortgage lender Halifax may also provide fresh evidence of how high house prices in London are forcing growing numbers of would-be capital dwellers to ditch that dream and look farther afield.

Manchester

Slough

Sandwell

Leicester/Oadby

Reading

Thurrock

Dartford

Knowsley

Wolverhampton

Luton