Mortgages bouncing back

Banks say an increasing number of mortgages are being give the go-ahead, as the housing market appears to be on the move again following a winter in the doldrums.

They approved more than 42,000 mortgages for house purchases in April up 3 per cent compared with the same month last year and 7 per cent more than in March.

So suggestions that house-hunting stalled during the election campaign see wide of the mark.

Approvals had declined since last summer after lenders were forced to apply much stricter affordability tests to applicants.

A British Bankers Association statement said: "There appears to be broad confidence about the economy, which the banks are supporting through affordable credit, leading to rises in borrowing across the board."

Credit card borrowing was up £375m in April and personal loans saw an increase as well, a sign that shoppers could continue to spur on the recovery.