RICS comments on lending figures

Commenting on the mortgage lending figures released today by the British Bankers Association (BBA) and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), David Stubbs, senior economist at the RICS said: "These figures, coming only days after another strong survey of the market by the RICS, are yet further proof that the housing market will enter 2007 with significant momentum. Housing demand will continue to outstrip supply leading to continued price gains throughout the year and tempting the Bank of England to raise interest rates at least once if not more in the first six months."