More than 180,500 first time buyers have kept the money they would have spent on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for their new homes, according to new statistics published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

First Time Buyers Relief (FTBR) was introduced on 22 November 2017, and new figures released on the eve of the one-year anniversary show that the estimated total amount saved by buyers is more than £426 million.

In last month’s Budget, the relief was extended to first time buyers purchasing through approved shared ownership schemes who choose to pay SDLT in stages, rather than on the market value of the property. This has been retrospectively applied to eligible property transactions since last November.

Mel Stride MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “These statistics show that the government was right to offer a helping hand to first time buyers. Without this investment, more than 180,500 new homeowners may have struggled to get onto the property ladder. Maintaining the status quo was not an option.

“FTBR is a SDLT relief for eligible first time buyers. The tax relief can be used when buying a residential property where the purchase price is no more than £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland, as long as the purchaser does not own any other properties and intends to use it as their main residence.

“The relief was claimed in more than 58,800 transactions between July and September this year, an increase of 12% compared to the previous quarter.”