First-time buyer activity surged in March.

Connells Survey & Valuation says it carried out 41% more valuations for first-time buyers compared with February, and 15% more than in March 2015.

Altogether, it says the total number of valuations carried out last month was up 8% year on year, and up by 21% compared with February.

Valuation activity for the buy-to-let market dropped heavily during March as the Stamp Duty deadline neared.

It was down by 27% from February, and down 36% on March last year.

Connells’ figures come as Labour has predicted that fewer than one in four under-35s will own a home by 2020 – 614,000 fewer than in 2010.

The party said that there are now 340,000 fewer home-owners aged under 35 than in 2010.