Figures from the ONS and Land Registry show that UK house prices dipped by 0.3% month-on-month in January but climbed 4.9% on a year ago to an average of £225,620. The annual growth rate slowed from 5% in December. In England average prices increased by 4.6% in the year to January, climbing to £242,000. In Wales the average price was up 4.5% to £153,000, Scotland saw a 7.3% increase push the typical value to £149,000 while Northern Ireland posted a 4.3% increase over the year, with the average property worth £130,000 in January. A property specialist says: “January is often a tough month in the property calendar, so it’s no surprise to see a weak start to the year in terms of house price growth.”