Gary Howe

Stability Until May Predicted The Bank of England has maintained the base rate at 4.5%, aligning with economists’ expectations amid global uncertainties, including U.S. trade policies and domestic economic challenges. Inflation has decreased from a peak of 11.1% in October 2022 to 3%, but remains above the 2% target. The UK economy grew by just […]

Mortgage Rates Drop – Will It Last? Recently, many lenders have reduced their fixed mortgage rates despite ongoing rises in swap rates. This apparent contradiction arises from lenders competing aggressively for business, temporarily cutting margins to attract borrowers. However, persistent inflation remains a significant concern. Inflation rates continue to exceed Bank of England targets, prompting markets

Competition Intensifies The UK mortgage market is becoming increasingly competitive, with lenders reducing rates to attract borrowers and expand market share. Despite swap rate fluctuations, banks and building societies are aggressively pricing mortgages to meet lending targets. With housing transactions below pre-pandemic levels and affordability concerns persisting, lenders are using lower rates to retain customers

Base Rate Reduced – 4.50% Today, the Bank of England reduced its base interest rate by 0.25% to 4.5%. This is the third cut since August 2024 and is aimed at boosting the economy, which has been struggling to grow. The decision was made as inflation is expected to rise to 3.7% in the short