Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, (CML) today show that gross mortgage lending in June was an estimated £12.3 billion, a 17% increase from £10.5 billion in April and a 48% decline from £24.8 billion in June 2008. The last two quarters have held steady, albeit at low levels. 

Whilst there has been some tentative positive news emerging from the housing market in recent days, these latest figures reflect more of a seasonal jump than a long-term improvement. There is still no doubt that lenders are not lending enough to meet consumer demand and where lending is taking place, this is often at seemingly expensive levels. A sustained increase in lenders willingness to lend is vital to help provide the boost to the economy that is sorely needed.