03/09/2026
๐ Why do mortgage lenders suddenly change their interest rates?
A common question I get asked is: โThe Bank of England hasn't changed Base Rate, so why has my mortgage rate gone up?โ
The answer is that there is far more to mortgage pricing than just the Base Rate ๐
๐ Swap rates
For fixed-rate mortgages, lenders closely watch swap rates. These are influenced by what financial markets think interest rates will do in the future. If swap rates rise, lenders may increase fixed mortgage rates โ sometimes before the Bank of England changes Base Rate.
๐ Inflation
Higher inflation can mean interest rates need to stay higher for longer. The Bank of England's inflation target is 2%, but inflation is currently above that level, keeping pressure on borrowing costs.
๐ What's happening around the world
Global events can have a direct impact on your mortgage. Right now, conflict in the Middle East has pushed up concerns around oil and energy prices. Higher energy costs can feed into inflation, causing markets to rethink where interest rates are heading.
๐๏ธ Government borrowing and gilt yields
When the cost of UK government borrowing rises, this can also put pressure on financial markets and swap rates. Recent volatility in global bond markets has seen UK gilt yields rise sharply.
๐ฆ Lender competition and funding costs
Lenders also have their own funding costs, targets and appetite for new business. Sometimes a lender will cut rates aggressively to win business. Other times, if funding becomes more expensive or they receive too many applications, they may increase rates or withdraw products.
โ ๏ธ So what does this mean right now?
The mortgage market can move very quickly.
In recent days, rising energy prices, inflation concerns and volatility in global bond markets have pushed swap rates higher, putting pressure on fixed mortgage pricing. Some lenders have already started repricing their products.
๐ The key point: Don't assume your mortgage rate will stay available just because the Bank of England hasn't changed Base Rate.
If you're buying, remortgaging or your current deal ends in the next few months, it may be worth reviewing your options sooner rather than later.
๐ Get in touch for a no-obligation mortgage review
01489250344 or 07722187410
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.