The government is to review the various house price indexes to reduce confusion

The government has launched a review of housing market statistics in order to reduce confusion over conflicting data.

The review will look at the 鈥渃oherence and comparability鈥� of the house price indexes. Currently economists look at several indexes which record house prices at various stages of the home-buying process, with the result that prices vary considerably and trends may be months apart.

The most frequently turned to indexes include two government ones 鈥� the Land Registry and one by the Communities and Local Government department - and those by Halifax, Nationwide, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, property website Rightmove and information group Hometrack.

The UK Statistics Authority will review the two government-produced indexes first. It will report back before the end of the year and then look at the other indexes.

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