For many first-time buyers, the homeownership dream feels increasingly out of reach, with rising house prices and affordability challenges making it harder than ever to step onto the property ladder. As a result, gifted deposits from family - often referred to as the ‘Bank of Mum & Dad’ - have become a crucial source of support. But what about those who don’t have parental help? From high LTV mortgages to Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor arrangements and Shared Ownership, there are a range of available options.

In this episode of the latest Mortgage Insider podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Simon Betteridge, CFO of Kensington and Barclays Mortgages, and Paula Higgins, founder and CEO of the Homeowners Alliance to explore the different types of mortgages designed to help first-time buyers for those with, and without this financial support, including solutions for freelance and self-employed borrowers.

Within this discussion, the trio also assess the role of specialist mortgage brokers in guiding clients through these choices, ensuring they find the right path to homeownership and the key trends which are likely to shape the first-time buyer market in 2025.

For many first-time buyers, the homeownership dream feels increasingly out of reach, with rising house prices and affordability challenges making it harder than ever to step onto the property ladder. As a result, gifted deposits from family - often referred to as the &lsquo;Bank of Mum &amp; Dad&rsquo; - have become a crucial source of support. But what about those who don&rsquo;t have parental help? From high LTV mortgages to Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor arrangements and Shared Ownership, there are a range of available options.
In this episode of the latest Mortgage Insider podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Simon Betteridge, CFO of Kensington and Barclays Mortgages, and Paula Higgins, founder and CEO of the Homeowners Alliance to explore the different types of mortgages designed to help first-time buyers for those with, and without this financial support, including solutions for freelance and self-employed borrowers.
Within this discussion, the trio also assess the role of specialist mortgage brokers in guiding clients through these choices, ensuring they find the right path to homeownership and the key trends which are likely to shape the first-time buyer market in 2025.

The evolving role of the mortgage broker is becoming increasingly complex. The performance and potential of the housing market is an ever-changing landscape, but help is here.

The award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast – brought to you by Barclays – is back and   better than ever. Renowned TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer guides you through the trials and tribulations of the housing world.

Phil, along with industry-leading guests from the world of economics, financial services, and of course housing, takes you beyond the headlines to help you navigate the world of mortgage markets.

This is an in-depth plunge into the world of mortgages, so listen and follow to find out moreabout the current mortgage market, how rates are set, the insider take on housing, changes to buy-to-let, marathon mortgages and helping clients plan for a worst-case scenario. 

The Mortgage Insider Podcast – you can’t afford to miss it.

The evolving role of the mortgage broker is becoming increasingly complex. The performance and potential of the housing market is an ever-changing landscape, but help is here.
The award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast – brought to you by Barclays – is back and   better than ever. Renowned TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer guides you through the trials and tribulations of the housing world.
Phil, along with industry-leading guests from the world of economics, financial services, and of course housing, takes you beyond the headlines to help you navigate the world of mortgage markets.
This is an in-depth plunge into the world of mortgages, so listen and follow to find out more about the current mortgage market, how rates are set, the insider take on housing, changes to buy-to-let, marathon mortgages and helping clients plan for a worst-case scenario. 
The Mortgage Insider Podcast – you can’t afford to miss it.

Mortgage Insider

The award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast - brought to you by Barclays Bank – is back and it’s even bigger and better than ever. Hosted by renowned TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer, Series 4 takes you beyond the headlines to explore the challenges, changes and opportunities on offer across the UK housing and mortgage markets.

In the latest series, Phil grills leading industry experts from the world of financial services on topics such as business development, the performance and potential of the housing market, the evolving role of the mortgage broker and the outlook for the UK economy.

You can’t afford to miss it.

The award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast - brought to you by Barclays Bank – is back and it’s even bigger and better than ever. Hosted by renowned TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer, Series 4 takes you beyond the headlines to explore the challenges, changes and opportunities on offer across the UK housing and mortgage markets. In the latest series, Phil grills leading industry experts from the world of financial services on topics such as business development, the performance and potential of the housing market, the evolving role of the mortgage broker and the outlook for the UK economy.
You can’t afford to miss it.

Climbing the property ladder – With or without the Bank of Mum & Dad 

For mortgage intermediaries, few periods have felt as complex or fast-moving as they are today. Keeping track of regulations, understanding the impact of AI, and managing rising client uncertainty in the current political climate are among the biggest challenges shaping the advice process.

In this episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Stephanie Charman, CEO of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI). Together, they discuss how the trade body provides clear, practical guidance to more than 80% of the UK’s intermediary community, helping them navigate an ever-evolving environment.

The discussion examines how technology is reshaping advice and asks the critical question - can technology keep up with regulations? Steph also highlights the ongoing importance of protection and the need to close the protection gap, while sharing how AMI’s ‘Working in Mortgages’ initiative is helping attract and retain new, diverse talent across the industry.

It’s a candid, forward-looking conversation about how intermediaries can remain resilient, informed and compliant, while continuing to provide trusted, personal advice in an increasingly digital world.

This episode was recorded on 13th October 2025.

For mortgage intermediaries, few periods have felt as complex or fast-moving as they are today. Keeping track of regulations, understanding the impact of AI, and managing rising client uncertainty in the current political climate are among the biggest challenges shaping the advice process.
In this episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Stephanie Charman, CEO of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI). Together, they discuss how the trade body provides clear, practical guidance to more than 80% of the UK&rsquo;s intermediary community, helping them navigate an ever-evolving environment.
The discussion examines how technology is reshaping advice and asks the critical question - can technology keep up with regulations? Steph also highlights the ongoing importance of protection and the need to close the protection gap, while sharing how AMI&rsquo;s &lsquo;Working in Mortgages&rsquo; initiative is helping attract and retain new, diverse talent across the industry.
It&rsquo;s a candid, forward-looking conversation about how intermediaries can remain resilient, informed and compliant, while continuing to provide trusted, personal advice in an increasingly digital world.
This episode was recorded on 13th October 2025.

Regulation, AI and uncertainty – the issues brokers can’t ignore

Forecasting into 2026 is already being shaped by lingering economic uncertainty, shifting consumer trends and tighter consumer spending. With the labour market slowing, the unemployment rate edging up and the impact of AI changing early-career roles, these pressures are influencing confidence, demand and how homebuyers and homeowners plan their next steps.

This special episode of the Mortgage Insider podcast, recorded live at Barclays HQ in London, brings host Phil Spencer together with Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times, Richard Donnell, Executive Director for Research at Zoopla, and Lee Hopley, Director of Economic Insight and Research at UK Finance, to explore these themes and much more.

They tackle inflation, rising household bills and tax changes, and why younger households feel less certain about pay and job security. The discussion also looks at the growing role of the Bank of Mum and Dad, regional contrasts, changes in buy-to-let, the move towards more structured portfolios, the value of protection and the expected spike in remortgage activity over the next year.

With buyers and homeowners facing increased financial pressure, the panel set out why the advice process matters more than ever and offer the insight brokers need to support a wide range of client needs as we head into 2026.

This episode was recorded live at Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf on 18 November, one week before the Autumn Budget.

Forecasting into 2026 is already being shaped by lingering economic uncertainty, shifting consumer trends and tighter consumer spending. With the labour market slowing, the unemployment rate edging up and the impact of AI changing early-career roles, these pressures are influencing confidence, demand and how homebuyers and homeowners plan their next steps.
This special episode of the Mortgage Insider podcast, recorded live at Barclays HQ in London, brings host Phil Spencer together with Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times, Richard Donnell, Executive Director for Research at Zoopla, and Lee Hopley, Director of Economic Insight and Research at UK Finance, to explore these themes and much more.
They tackle inflation, rising household bills and tax changes, and why younger households feel less certain about pay and job security. The discussion also looks at the growing role of the Bank of Mum and Dad, regional contrasts, changes in buy-to-let, the move towards more structured portfolios, the value of protection and the expected spike in remortgage activity over the next year.
With buyers and homeowners facing increased financial pressure, the panel set out why the advice process matters more than ever and offer the insight brokers need to support a wide range of client needs as we head into 2026.
This episode was recorded live at Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf on 18 November, one week before the Autumn Budget.

The 2026 outlook every broker needs to know


2024 saw a record number of fraud cases filed with the National Fraud Database. While mortgage fraud still represents a small proportion of overall UK fraud, there is a reported 5% increase in the number of mortgage fraud cases involving false application.

In the latest instalment of the Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Mike Haley, CEO of CIFAS, and Nicola Mawby, Financial Crime Manager at Mortgage Advice Bureau. Together, they examine the different types of mortgage fraud, including application fraud, manipulated income, identity misuse, money laundering and scheme abuse. The discussion goes beyond definitions to ask the crucial question: why do people commit fraud in the first place?

The discussion also considers who bears responsibility in mortgage fraud cases and the long-term impact of CIFAS markers for those found guilty of deception. With technology and AI enabling more sophisticated false documentation, and affordability pressures prompting opportunistic behaviour, the conversation reinforces why brokers are the first line of defence.

This episode delivers practical insights, expert guidance and real-world examples to help advisers protect their clients, their businesses and the wider market from the damaging effects of fraud.

2024 saw a record number of fraud cases filed with the National Fraud Database. While mortgage fraud still represents a small proportion of overall UK fraud, there is a reported 5% increase in the number of mortgage fraud cases involving false application.
In the latest instalment of the Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Mike Haley, CEO of CIFAS, and Nicola Mawby, Financial Crime Manager at Mortgage Advice Bureau. Together, they examine the different types of mortgage fraud, including application fraud, manipulated income, identity misuse, money laundering and scheme abuse. The discussion goes beyond definitions to ask the crucial question: why do people commit fraud in the first place?
The discussion also considers who bears responsibility in mortgage fraud cases and the long-term impact of CIFAS markers for those found guilty of deception. With technology and AI enabling more sophisticated false documentation, and affordability pressures prompting opportunistic behaviour, the conversation reinforces why brokers are the first line of defence.
This episode delivers practical insights, expert guidance and real-world examples to help advisers protect their clients, their businesses and the wider market from the damaging effects of fraud.

Climbing the property ladder – With or without the Bank of Mum & Dad

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