A couple of women studying the house price signs in an estate agents window, in Kentish Town, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 8, 2016. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
The number of mortgage approvals being made to home buyers reached its highest levels in nearly a year in January, Bank of England figures show.
Some 69,928 loans were approved for house purchase in January, marking the highest figure seen since February 2016.
Meanwhile, non-mortgage lending increased by 10.3% over the previous 12 months, slightly down on a 10.6% annual increase recorded in December.
Consumer credit recorded a net £1.4 billion increase in January, compared with an average £1.6 billion increase over the previous six months.
Within the £1.4 billion increase, lending using personal loan and overdrafts increased by £1.1 billion while credit card lending increased by £339 million.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here