Andy Burnham faces criticism over rising mortgage costs in Scotland

The SNP has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of reneging on his promise to reduce the cost of living as mortgage rates in Scotland reach their highest level in three years. Data from MoneyFacts indicates the average interest rate on a new five-year fixed mortgage has risen to 6%, while a House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the SNP shows the monthly cost of a two-year fixed mortgage on an average Scottish home jumped from £657 in November 2021 to £936 by July 2026, costing households an extra £3,348 annually.

SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said Burnham’s tenure has coincided with these increases and called for urgent budget measures to help families. She emphasized that the Bank of England, not the UK government, determines interest rates, but argued the Labour administration must act. The party also linked the issue to broader concerns about living standards and suggested Scottish independence as a solution to Westminster-driven economic pressures.