Mortgage News & Updates

A record outflow of millionaires and tax changes have triggered the deepest buyer anxiety in Prime Central London for over a decade. Prices are slipping, transactions are down — yet some investors see fresh opportunities.

Homes England delivered 36,872 new homes in the 12 months to March 2025 — a 12% year-on-year increase. Most completions were affordable homes, as a maturing Affordable Homes Programme begins to pay off.

The Bank of England has voted to hold interest rates at 4.25% following a 6–3 split. With wage growth slowing and inflation easing, markets are now preparing for a possible rate cut as soon as August.

The UK Government is making the 5% deposit Mortgage Guarantee Scheme permanent from July 2025. A move expected to boost confidence for both buyers and lenders across the UK.

A change in Bank of England guidance could lift first-time buyer transactions by up to 24% over the next five years. As lenders ease affordability checks, demand for homes is expected to surge — with potential implications for house prices and supply.

Private renters faced the steepest rise in living costs this year, with rent inflation hitting 3.6% in March 2025. As rental prices continue to surge, contractors and lower-income households are under increasing financial pressure.

Rental supply in London is up 9% year-to-date, but average weekly rents are still climbing — hitting £589 in April 2025, according to Foxtons’ latest lettings report.

The Treasury has cut its stake in NatWest to just 0.90%, marking the final stages of the bank’s return to private ownership — a move that could influence lending practices across the mortgage market.

The Bank of England has reduced its base rate from 4.5% to 4.25%, opening up new mortgage opportunities for first-time buyers, home movers, and remortgagers in 2025.