New mortgage last month fell to its lowest level for at least five years, further fuelling fears of a housing market slowdown. Daily Telegraph

Just over 80,000 people took out a loan to buy a property in September — the fewest number to do so in a September since monthly records began in 2002, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

The trade body said £12.7bn was loaned for house purchases in September, well down on August’s £16.2bn.

During the month, the average mortgage rate increased to 6.02% from 5.1% in August.