Purchases of properties using the Help to Buy equity loan scheme have fallen 57% year-on-year, as tighter eligibility criteria continues to restrict sales.

Official figures show there were 8,913 completions using the scheme in October 1 and December 31, compared to 21,106 in the same period 2020, when delayed sales inflated figures.

However, the figures were also 41% down on the same period in 2019 pre-pandemic.