Katy’s story: how Britain’s growing mortgage crisis is starting to hit home

Tales of mortgage hardship will be repeated over the coming months, reports James Moore

There were almost twice as many repossessions at the end of 2022 as the same period in 2021 (PA)

As ministers face calls to act over surging rents and mortgage rates, the human cost of Britain’s rapidly developing housing crisis is becoming clear.

Consider Katy, from West Lothian, who spoke to The Independent about the personal financial crisis engulfing her.

The 46-year-old found herself in a downward spiral of redundancy and a lack of opportunity, something all too common for those in their forties and fifties despite Britain’s chronic labour shortages and companies saying they welcome applications from older workers.