Posts Tagged ‘Inflation’


Are you at risk of defaulting on your mortgage?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

A number of reports recently have suggested that there are many homeowners across the UK who are at risk of defaulting on their mortgage repayments. It is already difficult for many homeowners to keep on top of their mortgage repayments namely because of the soaring cost of living coupled with job losses and frozen pay. With the cost of everything from food and petrol to insurance and energy bills having rocketed many have found that they are struggling to keep up with other financial commitments.

There are fears that if the base interest rate increases those that are on the verge of struggling with their finances will be tipped over the financial edge, leaving them without any means to make payments on their mortgage and leading to possible repossession proceedings. Whilst interest rates are currently at an all time low of just 0.5 percent, where they have been for two years, there are concerns that the Monetary Policy Committee will have to increase the base rate soon in order to deal with soaring inflation.

With this in mind it is advisable for those that believe that they will struggle to get advice as soon as they can rather than waiting for something to happen that will tip them over the financial edge. It is always wise to be prepared in terms of finances, especially given that your house could be at risk if you fall behind on mortgage repayments. This means that households who believe that even if they are not struggling now they could be if the base rate increases should start looking at ways to improve their finances in advance.

There is advice available for those that are struggling with their finances or who believe that they could be struggling with the slightest change in payments such as mortgage, rent, bills, etc. Consumers are able to get free advice from debt charities about their finances and can get themselves prepared for any adverse changes to their financial circumstances by talking to an expert before the rates increase.

A spokesperson from the Consumer Credit Counselling Service stated: “So many households are just managing to make ends meet, that even a small increase in the cost of their mortgage may push them over the edge. As far as possible, families need to think how they could pay such increases and seek help at the earliest opportunity if they feel that they cannot cope.”

Tags: expert, UK, homeowners, Service, Inflation

Interest rates remain on hold

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Many mortgage holders will be breathing a sigh of relief after the Bank of England announced that the base interest rate would remain at its all time low of just 0.5 percent for yet another month. It is nearly two years ago now since the base rate was slashed to the lowest level in the history of the Bank of England, and despite calls for rate increases in order to curb inflation the decision has been made to keep rates on hold for now.

For mortgage holders with variable rate mortgage loans this means that they do not have to worry about rocketing monthly repayments at a time that is already financially difficult for many. This is the 22nd month where the base rate has been on hold at this rock bottom low, and comes despite the fact that the last meeting in January saw a couple of Monetary Policy Committee members voting for a rate increase to try and bring the spiralling rate of inflation under control.

Many had thought that the base rate could be increased this month because of the increasing speculation that inflation could hit a massive 5 percent this year, which is way above the 2 percent target set by the government. However, the MPC has clearly decided that concerns over the economy outweigh concerns over inflation, hence the decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 percent.

However, one economist said that the move has come as no surprise. He said: ‘Wage settlements are the key – with no sign of any second-round [inflation] effects, there is no reason for the MPC to raise rates. We calculate that if you strip the VAT effects out of core inflation, you are left with an underlying rate of inflation that is close to 1%. Though the pressure [on the MPC to raise rates] will become increasingly fierce, we expect the MPC to be able to hold firm for the whole year.’

Tags: Inflation, move, underlying rate of inflation, committee members, rock bottom

Interest rates remain on hold

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Many mortgage holders will be breathing a sigh of relief after the Bank of England announced that the base interest rate would remain at its all time low of just 0.5 percent for yet another month. It is nearly two years ago now since the base rate was slashed to the lowest level in the history of the Bank of England, and despite calls for rate increases in order to curb inflation the decision has been made to keep rates on hold for now.

For mortgage holders with variable rate mortgage loans this means that they do not have to worry about rocketing monthly repayments at a time that is already financially difficult for many. This is the 22nd month where the base rate has been on hold at this rock bottom low, and comes despite the fact that the last meeting in January saw a couple of Monetary Policy Committee members voting for a rate increase to try and bring the spiralling rate of inflation under control.

Many had thought that the base rate could be increased this month because of the increasing speculation that inflation could hit a massive 5 percent this year, which is way above the 2 percent target set by the government. However, the MPC has clearly decided that concerns over the economy outweigh concerns over inflation, hence the decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 percent.

However, one economist said that the move has come as no surprise. He said: ‘Wage settlements are the key – with no sign of any second-round [inflation] effects, there is no reason for the MPC to raise rates. We calculate that if you strip the VAT effects out of core inflation, you are left with an underlying rate of inflation that is close to 1%. Though the pressure [on the MPC to raise rates] will become increasingly fierce, we expect the MPC to be able to hold firm for the whole year.’ 

Tags: bank of england, base interest rate, sigh, rate increase, Wage, Inflation

Houses were more affordable five decades ago than now

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

According to the High Street lender, Halifax, the quality of homes across the UK has improved over the past few decades but affordability is now lower than it was fifty years ago. (more…)

Tags: finance, Economic history, Inflation, Economics

House prices to fall again next year

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Whilst there has been a great deal of speculation with regards to whether recent house price increases in the UK can be sustained over recent months, a report has now suggested that many economists and estate agents are now in agreement that property prices are likely to fall over the course of next year. (more…)

Tags: Kate Barker, National Association of Estate Agents, Monetary Policy Committee, Housing market crisis in the United Kingdom, Inflation, Peter Bolton King

Bank of England throws more money at economy

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Following the most recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting the Bank of England announced that it was throwing even more money at the economy in the form of quantitative easing, which has already cost £175 billion. (more…)

Tags: Monetary Policy Committee, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Inflation, bank of england, Quantitative easing, interest rate

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes