Mortgage borrowing rates have remained broadly unchanged this week ahead of a widely expected Bank of England base rate rise from 4.25% to 4.5% later this morning.

UK interest rates are expected to increase today as inflation remains stubbornly high, economists have said.

It would be the 12th consecutive time policymakers at the Bank have raised rates, marking the highest level since 2008.

It comes as UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation remained firmly in double digits in March, squeezing household budgets and proving more stubborn than expected.

Rightmove’s mortgage expert Matt Smith said: “Average mortgage rates have continued to rise over the last week ahead of the expected increase in the Bank of England Base Rate tomorrow, as the underlying costs of fixed rate mortgages factor in a potential rise. However, rates across all Loan-To-Value ranges (LTV) have only increased by an average of 0.06% compared to last week. The 75% LTV category has seen the highest increase across both two-year and five-year fixed rates, while the smaller deposit 90% & 95% LTV two-year deals have seen the smallest increases.

“Looking ahead, the direction of rates over the coming week will be heavily influenced by the Bank of England’s analysis on inflation, and the future path for the Base Rate, which will accompany the decision tomorrow. If the Bank outlines a positive view on the prospect for inflation and Base Rates, we could see mortgage rates fall, as they have done after recent Base Rate decisions. But if the Bank is more cautious, we can expect rates to continue their upward trend in the short term.”

Following data provided by Rightmove: