What to do in the mortgage crunch and will rates keep rising?

For many homeowners it's been the case for some years that each time they remortgage, their rate comes down.

But with the Bank of England liftng base rate three times in a matter of months, inflation soaring to 7 per cent, and banks and building societies hiking mortgage rates, that is no longer the case.

It must be said that mortgage rates are still low by historic standards, but whereas borrowers with the biggest deposits or equity could fix for under 1 per cent last year, now they will be paying 2 per cent.

Not much compared to the sky high rates of the past, but many homeowners can't bag these super cheap deals and will pay rates above 3 per cent. Again, these are low but rising and people may find the same mortgage now sets them back £100 a month more.

What can borrowers do, will rates keep rising and how does inflation fit into all of this? On this podcast Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert look at the mortgage market and what's going on.

Also on the podcast, is buy-to-let having a mini resurgence? Could you search out a social broadband tariff and save money? And finally, what makes a good home or car insurer and does anybody ever check up before taking out policies?