News & Insight

Our expert views and commentary on what’s happening in the world of mortgages and sometimes beyond, along with our regular summary of what the papers say.

How do cashback mortgages work?

Increasing numbers of lenders are offering cashback to encourage borrowers to sign up to their mortgages, but it’s vital to look at the overall cost of any deal before committing. ...

Could 99% mortgages be on the cards?

The Government is reportedly considering introducing 99% mortgages to help boost the number of first-time buyers getting onto the property ladder. ...

Base rate held at 5.25% in February

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted by 6-3 to leave the base rate unchanged at 5.25% in February, despite an unexpected rise in inflation in December. ...

Landlords benefit from lower mortgage rates

The mortgage price war has brought some much-needed good news for landlords, who like residential homeowners have been hit with steeper mortgage costs over the past year. ...

New Year New Start for 2024

The New Year is a great time to take stock and look at ways you might be able to make your life healthier and happier. ...

Coping with grief: National Grief Awareness Week

The death of a loved one is devastating but having support through the grieving process may help you gradually come to terms with your loss - even though life is unlikely to ever be the same. ...

Autumn Statement: what it means for property

The mortgage guarantee scheme will be extended for another 18 months, the Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement. Under the scheme, lenders can purchase a guarantee on any loans where only a small deposit is put down. If...

Interest rates held at 5.25%

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 6-3 to leave the base rate unchanged at 5.25% in November, suggesting that interest rates may have peaked for now. ...

Breast Cancer Awareness month: wear it pink

One in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes, and although survival rates are improving all the time, the emotional, physical and financial effects can be long-lasting. ...

A year on from the mini-budget mortgage meltdown

September 23rd marked a year since Kwasi Kwarteng’s disastrous mini-budget, which prompted the pound to plummet and borrowing costs, inflation, and swap rates all to soar, triggering mortgage market mayhem. ...

Bank of England holds interest rate

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 5-4 to hold the base rate at 5.25% in September, ending a run of 14 consecutive increases. ...

How organ donors save lives

Organ Donation Week will take place from 18th-24th September this year, to help raise awareness of the importance of registering as an organ donor. This year’s campaign is ‘Leave them certain’...

Should I overpay on my mortgage?

Homeowners currently on low fixed rates may be keen to overpay their mortgages to minimise the impact of higher rates when they remortgage, but it’s worth weighing up whether saving might be a better option. ...

Protecting yourself against the unexpected

This August is National Road Victim Month, was set up to raise awareness of safer driving, as well as to honour those who have died or been injured in a car accident. ...

How can I cut my mortgage payments?

Homeowners on variable rate mortgages, or who are approaching the end of fixed rate deals, are facing big jumps in their mortgage payments - but there may be ways to bring monthly costs down. ...

What the Mortgage Charter means for you

Rising mortgage costs are extremely worrying for homeowners, many of whom may be wondering whether they’ll be able to afford their monthly payments when they come to remortgage. ...

Mortgage market mayhem: what it means for you

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for the mortgage market, with lenders pulling products especially fixed rates before usually replacing them with higher rate deals. T...

Could a 100% mortgage be right for you?

Skipton Building Society has launched a 100% mortgage which allows first-time buyers to purchase a home without a deposit, using their rental history to boost affordability. ...

Base rate increases to 4.5% in May

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted by 7-2 to raise the base rate by quarter of a percentage point in May, taking it to 4.5% - its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. ...

Is now a good time to remortgage?

With speculation that rates might reduce further, homeowners may be wondering whether now’s the right time to remortgage. ...

Parkinson’s in focus

World Parkinson’s Day takes place on 11th April, to raise awareness ...

Interest rates jump to 15-year high

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy voted to raise the base rate from 4% to 4.25% in March, its highest level since 2008. ...

Green mortgage options increase

Borrowers wanting green mortgages have a growing number of options to choose from, with lenders recognising the Government’s push for homes to be made more energy efficient. ...

What does the Budget mean for you?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his first Budget speech this week, with a focus on the cost of living and ways to help people get back into employment. ...

Don’t worry, be happy!

This year’s International Day of Happiness takes place on 20th March, 2023, and recognises the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. ...

Could you benefit from the mortgage price war?

Mortgage rates have tumbled in recent weeks as lenders battle to attract borrowers, so those who have put their mortgage plans on pause may want to take another look at what’s available. Many people have held...

SVR Watch December 2022

The Bank of England has increased base rate by 0.50 percentage points to 3.50%. Here's our rundown of how lenders are reacting to the rise....

Why do house prices fall?

After years of soaring house prices in many areas of the UK, prices have started to fall in recent months, but what causes them to drop? ...

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme extended for a year

Homebuyers with small deposits have an extra year to use the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, after the Government announced it has been extended until December 2023. ...

SVR Watch November 2022

The Bank of England has increased base rate by 0.75 percentage points to 3.00%. Here’s our rundown of how lenders are reacting to the rise....

Base rate rises to 3%

The Bank of England has raised the base rate by 0.75 percentage points to 3%, the biggest rate increase for 30 years. Some had expected rates to increase by a full percentage point, but action taken by the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reverse tax cuts announced by his predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng may have helped to avert the need for such a substantial increase. Rates are rising to try to curb rampant inflation. The Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation rose by 10.1% in the year to Sep...

SVR Watch September 2022

The Bank of England has increased base rate by 0.50 percentage points to 2.25%. Here's our rundown of how lenders are reacting to the rise...

Are you going sober for October?

Charity Macmillan is challenging drinkers to ‘Go Sober for October’ this month to raise funds to support the work it does for cancer sufferers. ...

Interest rates jump to 2.25%

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise the base rate by half a percentage point in September, from 1.75% to 2.25%. ...

House price growth starts to cool

Annual house price growth fell slightly to 10% in August, down from 11% in July, according to Nationwide...

Interest rates could top 2% in a year

Interest rates could rise by as much as half a percentage point in August, the Governor of the Bank of England has warned, with economists predicting that rates could exceed 2% in the next year....

SVR Watch June 22

The Bank of England has increased base rate to 1.25%. Here's our rundown of how lenders are reacting to the rise. ...

Nine mortgage myths busted

We've de-bunked nine of the most common mortgage myths that might be putting you off and explain what the real facts are. ...

Fifth consecutive rise for interest rates

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise the base rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1.25% in June, the first time it has exceeded 1% for 13 years. ...

Mortgage payments jump by £100 a month

A series of interest rate hikes in recent months has seen mortgage rates more than double since their historic low in October 2021, and with further rises likely, it makes sense to review your mortgage now. ...

SVR Watch May 22

The Bank of England has increased base rate by to 1.00%. Here’s our rundown of how lenders are reacting to the rise, so you can see whether yours has increased its Standard Variable Rate. ...

Interest rates rise to 1%

Interest rates have risen to 1% in May, the first time they have been at this level since February 2009. ...

Dying Matters Awareness Week 2nd-6th May

Discussing what both you and your family might want when the time comescan provide valuable peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out. ...

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