A NEW shared equity scheme for first-time buyers was announced by Chancellor George Osborne today as well as measures to make the planning system more efficient.

Some 10,000 first-time buyers will be eligible for the Firstbuy scheme, however, the £250m government pledge to the scheme will only last for one year, the Budget documents reveal.

This would be funded by the levy on banks, Mr Osborne said.

Mr Osborne also announced stpes to improve the planning system.

These included the promise of a "pr......for the full story register now for free or login below...