House price confidence 'improves'

Optimism in the housing market has grown in recent months, with more Britons predicting prices will rise this year than those forecasting a fall, a study has found.

Nearly a third (29%) of those surveyed believe house prices will increase in the next 12 months, Halifax said, up from 28% when a similar report was compiled in October. Meanwhile 22% predict a decline, down from 30% when the study was conducted previously.