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flag UK banks halt sub-4% fixed-rate mortgages, pushing rates above 5% amid global tensions and economic uncertainty.

flag Major UK banks including Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Santander, and Nationwide have stopped offering fixed-rate mortgages below 4%, pushing average two- and five-year rates above 5% due to rising global financial pressures, particularly from Middle East unrest driving up swap rates. flag Despite a Bank of England base rate cut to 3.75% in December 2025, further reductions are unlikely amid economic uncertainty. flag The average standard variable rate has slightly fallen to 7.13%, but borrowers still face higher repayments. flag Experts advise securing a fixed rate to save around £300 monthly on a £250,000 mortgage, urging caution and professional advice amid tightening lending conditions.

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