It is reported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) that the level of lending reduced by 9% month-on-month during January. It is estimated that £10.4 billion of lending was advanced last month. This is a 3% reduction on the same period 12 months ago. Even though there is a slowdown, the CML states that it thinks activity to rise in months ahead due to improved mortgage availability and lots of cheap deals on offer.

Other research issued recently by the financial information website 'Money...