Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of mortgage size and availability upon (1) house prices, (2) rent levels, (3) economic growth, and (4) social housing costs; and what plans, if any, they have to mitigate these impacts.

While Treasury Ministers and officials are regularly in contact with lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions, it is important to note that the pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. The rules and regulations that govern mortgage lending are set by regulators that are independent of the Government.

However, the Government recognises the importance of affordability and is committed to building 1.5 million more homes over this Parliament. In the 2025 Spending Review, the Government committed an additional £39 billion to a successor for the Affordable Homes Programme, to be delivered over 10 years starting from 2026-2027. This spending, alongside efforts to reform financial regulation, represent a key part of the Government’s mission to kick start economic growth and support more first-time buyers.