House prices rose by 0.6% in January, according to data from the Halifax house price index. It's only the second rise in six months though, and quarterly data records a 0.9% decline in prices for the fourth consecutive month.
More homes were put up for sale in December but "unrealistic" asking prices are damaging sales volumes, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The housing industry has repeatedly called for the government to step in and do something to revive the flagging housing market. On occasions, the government has obliged.
UK house prices rose by 0.4% in November, taking the average to £165,798 and contributing to a 1.6% annual rise, according to the latest figures from the Nationwide House Price Index.
