CML says lending increased 6% in Feb

Gross mortgage lending climbed 6% to an estimated £9.2bn in February, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says.

However, it says an increase in lending in what is the year's shortest month is unsurprising, particularly as the end of the stamp duty holiday distorted December's and January's figures.

Lending in February was down 6% from the £9.7bn figure posted in the same month in 2009, but the first two months of this year are broadly in line with the CML's forecast of £150bn for 2010 as a whole.

CML economist Paul Samter says: "As we look forward, we expect emerging signs of improvement as confidence in the economy grows and we move past the election.

"However, the need for the authorities to address fiscal deficit will inevitably slow the economy. At the same time the funding markets, while certainly better than a year ago, remain difficult and will limit the flow of available housing finance."