By John Phillips, CEO of Just Mortgages

As we approach the Autumn Budget, I want to see measures that give people greater confidence in their finances and their ability to manage a mortgage.

For borrowers, the questions are personal. What can I afford each month? How much could my repayments change when my current deal ends? Will I still be able to save, support my family and manage unexpected costs?

My hope is that the Chancellor recognises these everyday concerns. My expectation is that support will be targeted, rather than broad, and that careful financial planning and professional advice will remain essential.

Affordability needs to be at the centre

Helping people access a mortgage means looking beyond the deposit. Their income, household spending and ability to sustain repayments all matter.

I would welcome measures that ease pressure on household budgets and help people retain more financial breathing space. For someone saving for their first home or preparing to remortgage, changes to everyday costs can be just as relevant as a housing-specific announcement.

I also hope the government considers borrowers whose circumstances do not fit a straightforward template, including the self-employed and those with variable earnings. We need an environment that supports responsible access to lending while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

The Budget cannot resolve every affordability challenge. But it can help create conditions in which people feel more confident about taking on and managing a long-term financial commitment.

First-time buyer support must be clear and sustainable

The detail of the proposed Your First Home scheme in England will be an important announcement to watch. The government has outlined plans for smaller deposits supported by an equity loan, with further details due at the Budget.

I welcome efforts to help people overcome the deposit barrier. However, any scheme must be understandable and affordable over its full lifetime.

I want to see clear information about eligibility, future charges and repayment obligations. Customers need to understand how support available today could affect their finances later, including when they come to remortgage.

My expectation is that the scheme will generate interest and questions in equal measure. Mortgage advisers will have an important role in helping customers understand how it works alongside the other options available to them.

Existing borrowers must remain part of the conversation

There is often considerable attention on helping people secure their first mortgage. We must also consider those who already have one.

For households approaching the end of a fixed-rate deal, the priority is understanding what their next mortgage could cost and how that fits their wider budget.

I hope the Budget offers reassurance through a credible economic plan and a clear direction on household finances. I would also welcome recognition of the importance of accessible support for people experiencing financial pressure.

My expectation is that borrowers will continue to need individual guidance. A Budget headline cannot tell someone which mortgage is suitable for them or whether changing their arrangements would be beneficial.

Be realistic about mortgage rates

It is important to distinguish between what we hope the Budget will deliver and what it can directly control.

The Chancellor does not set mortgage rates. The base rate is determined by the Bank of England, while fixed-rate mortgage pricing is influenced by factors including lenders’ funding costs and swap rates.

My hope is for a Budget that strengthens confidence and supports economic stability. I would be cautious about expecting any announcement to translate into an immediate reduction in mortgage costs.

Borrowers deserve realistic explanations of what could change, alongside a clear understanding that the direction of rates cannot be guaranteed.

Financial resilience deserves attention

Being able to afford a mortgage today is one consideration. Being able to manage it if circumstances change is another.

I would like to see greater recognition of financial resilience, including the importance of savings, financial education and appropriate protection.

A period of illness or a loss of income can put household finances under considerable strain. Helping people understand those risks and the support available should form part of a wider conversation about sustainable borrowing.

Turning announcements into practical answers

Whatever the Chancellor announces, our role at Just Mortgages will be to help people understand what it means for their circumstances.

That means explaining changes clearly, reviewing the options available and looking at the whole picture: repayments, fees, flexibility and the customer’s longer-term plans.

My hope for this Budget is practical support and greater certainty. My expectation is that there will still be difficult choices for households to make. Access to a knowledgeable adviser who understands their situation will remain valuable long after Budget day.