Persimmon boss: Help to Buy has increased demand

Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn has told BBC News that Help to Buy had increased demand, after the house builder announced profits had jumped by more than 50% last year.

Pre-tax profits jumped to £337.1m in 2013, compared with £218.2m in the previous year.

When asked if Persimmon was "cashing in" - with average prices increasing by 4% - Mr Fairburn said his firm was "aimed at the affordable end of the market" and the increase was down to building "a few more bigger houses."