The decision to raise interest rates again has piled on yet more pressure to rein in spending and even give up on a dream
Like many young couples, Chris Smithers and his wife were hoping to have another child within two years of their first. But a huge impending increase in their mortgage payments has put paid to their plans.
When their existing fixed-rate deal ends in April next year, Smithers fears their mortgage repayments could more than double from £1,880 to £3,800 in the worst-case scenario.
