One-in-four homeowners 'fear interest rate rise'

One in four mortgage holders fear they will be in financial trouble when interest rates start to rise, research has found.

Some 27% of those surveyed for the Building Societies Association (BSA) and charity the Money Advice Trust think they will be in difficulty when the base rate eventually moves off its historic 0.5% low.

One in 14 (7%) people said that they would be in serious financial trouble if mortgage rates and repayments changed as they expect over the next three years, while a further one in five (20%) said this would cause them slight financial problems.

Around 39% of those surveyed said they will be forced to cut spending on holidays and eating out to cope with rate rises, while one-fifth plan to reduce spending on essentials such as clothing and food.