The impacts of high interest rates may be easing, according to the latest figures from the Bank of England.

The number of new mortgages approved in December reached a level not seen in seven months, the Bank’s money and credit data showed.

Last month 50,500 new mortgages were approved, a number not seen since May last year, the central bank’s figures showed.

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At the same time, the average interest rate for new mortgages dropped for the first time since November 2021,
falling by 0.06 percentage points to 5.28%.

However, a fall of £830m in net mortgage lending was also recorded, far below the £250m rise expected by economists polled by Reuters.

House-buying activity had been depressed as mortgages grew more expensive following 14 consecutive interest rate hikes by the Bank.

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This had meant houses were becoming cheaper.

The continuous Bank rate rises brought the rate to 5.25% in August, a high not seen since 2008 and a position that has been held in subsequent interest rate decisions by the regulator.

Tuesday’s data also showed a growth in the number of people remortgaging – up to 30,800 in December from 25,700 in November.

The trend of increased approvals may be likely to continue as the average mortgage rate on offer for a five-year fixed deal has dropped to 5.18% and 5.56% for the typical two-year fixed product, according to financial information company Moneyfacts.

Some high street lenders, including the UK’s largest building society, dropped a number of the mortgage rates on offer this month.

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Latest inflation and growth forecasts will be published by the Bank’s rate-setting committee on Thursday along with its outlook for future rate decisions.

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