However, industry experts believe mortgage rates may remain stubbornly high.

A hold was widely expected today due to rising inflation and strong private sector wage growth.

Specialist lending faces market uncertainty but also signals growth opportunities, the survey found.

Just 14% think that three more cuts before the end of 2025 is still realistic.

Inflation has now almost doubled since September, when it was 1.7%.

Mortgage and rental spending grows 2.0%, but consumer confidence remains unchanged.

Economists were upbeat about the better-than-forecast GDP figures for Q4, but warned that the UK economy is not out of the woods yet.

Mann explained why she will maintain "policy rate discipline and restrictiveness" despite voting for an ‘activist’ 50 basis point cut.

The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to reduce Bank Rate.

A third of first-time buyers think now is a good time to buy a home.