Santander UK’s latest Broker Perception Barometer found brokers were perceived to play an integral role in helping 93% of homeowners understand the impact of government policy.
With only a couple of weeks before the Labour Budget on 28 October, Santander said brokers can expect to find themselves busier than ever.
The lender suggested that customers will look to understand what the Budget means for them as homeowners, and its impact on the wider economy.
Borrowers seek clarity
The research also found that 45% of homeowners want brokers to clearly explain what market changes mean for them, while 39% would welcome support understanding affordability and borrowing options.
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Furthermore, 36% would value guidance on the best time to apply for a mortgage.
Some 29% of respondents said they would prefer a short email summary and 27% favoured a one-to-one consultation by phone or face to face.
However, customers were less inclined toward more informal media, as 13% would choose a WhatsApp or text message and 12% a short social media video.
In terms of what respondents were hoping from the Budget, support was divided across a number of housing initiatives, with the top three measures separated by just four percentage points.
The most popular measure was incentives for lenders to offer lower mortgage rates, backed by 38% of respondents.
A reduction in stamp duty was supported by 34% of homeowners, while the same proportion wanted affordable homeownership and first-time buyer support schemes to be expanded.
Meanwhile, 27% said the government should prioritise increasing housing supply through new homebuilding.
Ben Merritt, head of mortgages at Santander UK, said: “The only thing that’s felt constant in 2026 is change. Mortgage pricing has continued to evolve and that can leave customers wondering when, or whether, to make their move.
“Our Broker Perception Barometer has found that brokers are at the heart of helping people navigate that uncertainty, providing expert guidance when it’s needed most. Whatever changes the Budget brings, their role in supporting customers to make confident mortgage decisions will remain critical.”
