Mortgage lending crashes 20% in March

Mortgage lending slumped 19% to its lowest level for a year in April as many buyers brought forward their property purchases in order to benefit from the stamp duty holiday that ended in March, according to industry data.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders, which issued the figures, said the underlying picture appeared to be one of "easing momentum" in the housing market, but warned of the potential for "a sharper downwards correction" if the eurozone crisis were to worsen...Guardian