Industry figures showed that mortgage approvals by British banks fell in October to a seven-month low, adding to signs of a subdued housing market ahead of Brexit and a general election due on Dec. 12 election.

Lenders approved 41,219 mortgages in October, down from 42,216 in September, industry association UK Finance said.

However, the value of secured lending rose in October by 3.452 billion pounds, the largest increase since March 2016, from 2.457 billion pounds in September.

Consumer lending increased by 4.5% in annual terms in October, accelerating from 4.4% in September and marking the highest rate since February 2018.