Wimpey sees high demand

TAYLOR Wimpey will pay £500million in dividends this year and flagged bumper future payouts after easing concerns over the housing market.

The blue chip builder said it performed strongly in the second half, with demand supported by the Help to Buy scheme, a healthy jobs market and competitive mortgage rates. Despite the recent base rate increase, it has seen “no evidence of a change in trading patterns”, although it is “alert to potential risks from heightened political and economic uncertainty”.

Chief executive Pete Redfern added: “We are very well positioned to deliver sustainable growth.”