Nearly 300,000 homes lie empty, says Halifax

The research says the number of private empty homes has actually fallen by 6% in England over the past three years to 290,862. But in 21 local authorities at least 3% of the private dwelling stock is empty - nearly double the English average. The figures also contrast sharply with the government's stated aim of increasing house building by up to 200,000 new homes each year. The Halifax says the highest proportion of empty homes are in Burnley (6.2%), Liverpool (5.6%) and Pendle (5.1%). And of those areas with the highest number of empty homes nine are in the North West, while three are i...