TO BE PUBLISHED September 2025
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This conference will examine the future direction of mortgage policy and regulation in England, and practical next steps for improving access, affordability, and consumer protection, alongside addressing priorities for lenders and developers, and supporting a more resilient, innovative and transparent market.
Regulatory reform, oversight and the housing market
It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities for regulatory reform and oversight, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s Mortgage Rule Review consultation and its recently published policy statement First steps to simplify our rules and increase flexibility, as well as related amendments to the Prudential Regulation Authority’s Rulebook affecting lending thresholds based on income.
Attendees will consider proposals around the treatment of higher income-multiple borrowing, simplified rules for switching and non-advised mortgages, and rebalancing responsible lending requirements. We expect discussion on the coordination of these proposals with obligations under the Consumer Duty, and how developments in innovation and automation could affect affordability assessments, borrower engagement, and the responsibilities placed on lenders. Sessions will also explore how open finance, analytics, and AI-powered decision-making might influence underwriting and regulatory responsibilities.
Wider government policy and housing access
Further sessions discuss wider government policy developments, including the transition of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to a permanent UK-wide arrangement, and the introduction of the new Affordable Homes Programme. Delegates will consider the prospects of these policies in expanding access to high loan-to-value lending, including the removal of income-based borrowing caps and adjustments to affordability thresholds.
Areas for discussion include concerns about their potential contribution to house price inflation, household debt, and wider market stability, particularly affecting borrowers such as first-time buyers and those with non-traditional income. Delegates will discuss how affordability models might be adapted by lenders and regulators, and what support might be needed for borrowers under changing market conditions. We also expect discussion on how potential risks for borrowers and lenders might be mitigated in a changing economic environment, including the influence of recent interest rate cuts, inflation, and government spending decisions
Discussion is also expected on the interaction between mortgage markets and net zero targets, including the role of green mortgages and energy efficiency standards in future lending strategies, and how sustainability requirements may affect affordability and investment.
Affordability, access and leasehold reform
Delegates will examine latest thinking on how persistent barriers to home ownership might be addressed, particularly for first-time buyers and those on irregular incomes, as well as implications of regional disparities in affordability and access. Further discussion will assess the effect of planning reform and housing delivery constraints on the operation of the mortgage market, looking at supply shortages, perceptions of the financial viability of new housing development for developers and investors, and how proposals in the Renters’ Rights Bill are affecting confidence among lenders and property investors.
The conference will also consider long-standing concerns about the leasehold system and rising charges, with discussion on the latest developments on cladding remediation, unsellable properties, and future directions for leasehold reform. We expect issues raised by stakeholders around mortgage prisoners and the resale implications of problematic leaseholds to also be explored.
Technology and transaction efficiency
Looking at innovation, attendees will assess developments in digitalisation and the use of smart data and AI in affordability assessments and transaction processes, examining both priorities for AI governance and how digitisation could support innovation and consumer protection in home-buying. Sessions will also consider issues around the reliability and speed of completions, and reducing transaction failure rates, particularly through improved coordination across conveyancers, lenders, and estate agents.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
