In its June press release The Council of Mortgage Lenders has estimated that total gross mortgage lending in May increased to £14.7 billion, representing a rise of 21% from £12.2 billion in April and 17% higher than the total of £12.6 billion in May 2012.

This is the highest monthly estimate for gross mortgage lending since October 2008 and must be fabulous news for the moving industry indicating that the years in the doldrums might finally be coming to an end.

Commenting on market conditions, CML chief economist Bob Pannell said: “The imminent change of guard at the Bank of England takes place against the backdrop of a modestly improving UK economy, albeit one that appears to rest upon a pick-up in consumer spending and a recovering housing market. Funding conditions, helped by the Funding for Lending scheme, continue to look favourable and are supporting more competitive mortgage pricing and availability and a gradual resumption of lenders’ risk appetite.”

He continued: “While the direction of travel is clear and fits well with the more positive housing surveys from RICS and others, our forward estimate does imply somewhat stronger house purchase activity than we had been expecting. This may reflect a degree of pent up sales following the extended spell of poor weather earlier this year”.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders' members are banks, building societies and other lenders who together undertake around 95% of all residential mortgage lending in the UK.

Photo:  Bob Pannall, CML Chief Economist