New PM to target housing

The new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is to make a speech in the House of Commons this afternoon where he will outline the key priorities for his Government.

It's thought that the PM will target at the UK housing market when it comes to new policy decisions. In comments made to the BBC, Mr Brown has already suggested that his housing plans will involve making property more affordable, with plans for more house building.

One idea that has been widely touted in the press is that the Government will look to mortgage lenders to offer longer fixed term mortgages. It's a policy that is already under fire, with some lenders suggesting that such mortgages are not wanted by borrowers.

There are also suggestions that the PM will reveal plans to build more houses on brown-field sites. It will be interesting to see the actual details for such plans, as a policy of building on brown-field locations wouldn't necessarily differ from the policies of Mr Blair. Many would-be first time buyers and others with an interest in the UK property market will be listening with interest.