Plans to help first time buyers purchase property in Alderney

A plan has been put forward to help first time buyers in Alderney purchase their first property.

The island's youngest politician, Rhys Jenkins, wants to spread some of the costs of buying a house over a longer period of time.

He has put his proposals forward to Alderney's Policy and Finance Committee, which is now looking into the various options.

He says young people and families are "the future" of Alderney and need "any help they can" to stay.

Saul Woodruff and Petra Bazantova are Alderney residents who are struggling to buy their first family home together. They say there is a lack of help for young people trying to buy properties in the island.

As part of the policy initiative, the Policy and Finance Committee will also seek the views of banks and mortgage providers, to help inform their position.

If successful, the scheme could be extended to other people, such as essential workers. However, it would not be made available to those who already own a property.