Tories and pro-Brexit Labour have shafted mortgage holders

Housing increasingly unaffordable under Westminster control

The SNP has said "The Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party have trashed the UK economy and shafted mortgage holders and first-time buyers" - as the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates for a 13th consecutive time at noon.

Amid growing warnings that Brexit is contributing to soaring UK inflation, which is higher and more stubborn than the EU and US, David Linden MP said housing is "becoming increasingly unaffordable under Westminster control" and urged the UK government to do more to protect homeowners and renters from losing their homes.

It comes as former Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned Brexit is causing "a weaker pound, higher inflation and weaker growth" - and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned rising interest rates could mean 1.4 million UK mortgage holders see their disposable incomes fall by more than 20%.

Commenting, SNP Social Justice spokesperson David Linden MP said:

"The Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party have trashed the UK economy and shafted mortgage holders and first-time buyers - showing exactly why Scotland needs to escape the damage of Westminster control with independence.

"Housing is a basic human need but it's becoming increasingly unaffordable under Westminster control - as a direct result of Brexit and other damaging policies being imposed against Scotland's will.

"The SNP is the only party offering real change with independence - and real help with the cost of living now, through progressive policies like the rent cap and Scottish Child Payment. In contrast, Sunak and Starmer are imposing Brexit and more of the same damaging policies that got the UK into this mess.

"The UK government must urgently provide help for homeowners and renters at risk of losing their homes, or falling into unmanageable debt, through no fault of their own. Families shouldn't have to foot the bill for Westminster failure.

"At the next election, voting SNP is the only way to secure real change with independence, tackle the cost of living, and get rid of unelected Tory governments for good."