01.05.202608:30:00UTC+00UK Net Lending to Individuals Rises to £8.0B in March, Signalling Stronger Credit Demand

Net lending to individuals in the United Kingdom climbed to £8.0 billion in March 2026, up from £6.8 billion in February 2026, according to data updated on 1 May 2026. The latest figures point to a notable month-on-month increase in household borrowing and credit uptake.

The rise from February’s £6.8 billion suggests stronger demand for loans and consumer credit among UK households as spring began. While the data does not break down the composition of borrowing, the overall increase in net lending is likely to draw attention from policymakers and market participants monitoring the resilience of consumer activity and the trajectory of household balance sheets.

With net lending moving higher into March, analysts and investors may interpret the trend as a sign of firmer underlying economic momentum, while also watching for any signs of mounting credit risk should borrowing continue to outpace incomes in the months ahead.