The Skipton Building Society is temporarily removing the ceiling which previously meant that the majority of borrowers with SVR-linked accounts could not pay more than 3% over the base rate.

In its sixth rate reduction in a row, Woolwich is to reduce rates on its tracker range by up to 0.20%.

The popularity of fixed rate mortgages dipped in the final quarter of 2009 as the threat of an increase in base rates eased, research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed.