LiveMore comments on today's Money & Credit data

30 January 2026

Simon Webb, managing director of capital markets and finance at LiveMore, commented:

“Net mortgage borrowing remaining steady and approvals falling by 3,100 in December is disconcerting given we were expecting the market to pick up in the wake of the Autumn budget; but the base rate cut that came in mid-December should give borrowing a boost when January figures are released.

“Approvals for remortgaging are up, however, by 1,600 – and that figure only captures remortgages with a different lender.

“This remortgaging trend is expected to continue, according to the 2026 mortgage market forecast from UK Finance, and bring with it serious affordability concerns for many borrowers moving from an historically low pandemic rate to a current rate. For borrowers approaching or in retirement, this issue is even more pertinent, given the affordability challenges that already exist for the age group. At LiveMore, we believe many of these challenges can be addressed by using lending models that take a more holistic view of income and are designed to support brokers in identifying appropriate mortgage solutions for their clients. ”