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Mortgage debt falls for 10th quarter in a row Mortgage debt falls for 10th quarter in a row
(1 day later)
Mortgage holders are continuing to pay down their loans, according to the Bank of England's latest quarterly figures.Mortgage holders are continuing to pay down their loans, according to the Bank of England's latest quarterly figures.
Figures for the third quarter of the year show borrowers cut their collective debt by £6.1bn.Figures for the third quarter of the year show borrowers cut their collective debt by £6.1bn.
It is the 10th quarter in a row that homeowners have put more money into their home than they took out.It is the 10th quarter in a row that homeowners have put more money into their home than they took out.
Separately, the Halifax released a report showing first-time buyers would need an average deposit of £29,000 to buy a property.Separately, the Halifax released a report showing first-time buyers would need an average deposit of £29,000 to buy a property.
But the mortgage lender added that the proportion of disposable income needed for mortgage payments was now the lowest for 12 years, at 27%.But the mortgage lender added that the proportion of disposable income needed for mortgage payments was now the lowest for 12 years, at 27%.
Collectively, those with mortgages have been reducing the amount outstanding since the second quarter of 2008 and have paid in £49.7bn since then.Collectively, those with mortgages have been reducing the amount outstanding since the second quarter of 2008 and have paid in £49.7bn since then.
The £6.1bn figure was the net injection of equity that people have put into their homes since the first quarter of 2009.
'Serious concerns''Serious concerns'
Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "There is an ongoing desire and perceived need of many people to improve their personal balance sheets, given high debt levels and serious concerns and uncertainties over the economic situation.Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "There is an ongoing desire and perceived need of many people to improve their personal balance sheets, given high debt levels and serious concerns and uncertainties over the economic situation.
"Extremely low savings interest rates have made it much more attractive for many people to use any spare funds that they have to reduce their mortgages.""Extremely low savings interest rates have made it much more attractive for many people to use any spare funds that they have to reduce their mortgages."
The recent trend among homeowners to pay down their mortgages contrasts with their behaviour during the housing boom, when they unlocked a record £17.1bn during the last quarter of 2003.The recent trend among homeowners to pay down their mortgages contrasts with their behaviour during the housing boom, when they unlocked a record £17.1bn during the last quarter of 2003.
Recent figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed mortgage lending fell 5% in November compared with the previous month and was down 10% on a year ago, lenders say.Recent figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed mortgage lending fell 5% in November compared with the previous month and was down 10% on a year ago, lenders say.
The uncertain housing market means it is more difficult not only to get a mortgage, but to increase the size of an existing one.The uncertain housing market means it is more difficult not only to get a mortgage, but to increase the size of an existing one.
The CML said mortgage lending remained weak owing to a lack of interest from buyers and rationing of home loans from lenders.The CML said mortgage lending remained weak owing to a lack of interest from buyers and rationing of home loans from lenders.