Compton Financial in the Press
Martin Rayner is a Mortgage Broker and Chartered Financial Adviser at Compton Financial Services.
He is regularly quoted in the national press, including Sky News, The Daily Express, and The Mirror, providing expert analysis on mortgage market trends, tax policy, and personal financial planning. Martin is also a specialist contributor to industry titles such as FT Adviser, Business Matters, and Property Portfolio Investor.
FT Adviser
Lloyds £5k deposit mortgage ‘shot in the arm’ for FTBs
The Quote: “Anything that helps FTBs on to the property ladder is positive, especially when many renters are already paying more each month in rent than they would on a mortgage. For the right buyer this could be a lifeline, but it should be compared carefully against other options such as family assist or guarantor-style mortgages before committing.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight : Martin Rayner highlights how low-deposit mortgage products can provide an important route on to the property ladder for first-time buyers struggling to save while renting. His commentary emphasises the importance of comparing low-deposit mortgages with alternative options such as guarantor and family-assisted mortgages to ensure borrowers choose a solution that remains affordable and sustainable over the long term.
Topic: First-time buyer mortgages, low-deposit mortgages, and mortgage affordability
Published: 14 May 2026
Sky News - Feature article (Martin Rayner)
The ‘never saw it’ rule and why many people shouldn’t overpay mortgage: Tips from a financial adviser
The Quote: “My best piece of practical advice is to follow the ‘never saw it’ rule. Start contributing to a pension the moment you start working. If you never see the money in your bank account, you won’t miss it — but your future self will thank you.
Some common advice that might not suit everyone is to overpay your mortgage. While this can work in some situations, paying into a pension can often provide better long-term returns.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight: Martin Rayner explains how effective financial planning requires balancing mortgage strategy with long-term wealth building, highlighting that overpaying a mortgage is not always the most efficient use of surplus income. His commentary emphasises the importance of pension contributions, tax efficiency and disciplined saving habits in building sustainable long-term financial security
Topic: Mortgage strategy, pension planning, and long-term financial planning
Full Comparison : Full Comparison: See the 2026 numbers for Mortgage, ISA, and Pension overpayments.
Published: 27 April 2026
Liverpool Echo - Feature article (Martin Rayner)
Anyone who got April pay rise told to follow ‘rule’ today by finance expert
The Quote: “The smallest habit that can have the most explosive impact is… starting a pension when you get your first payslip. Some people wait until their 30s or 40s, but by then, they’ve already missed the most powerful growth years. Assume a 7% growth rate, and your money doubles every 10 years. If a 27-year-old starts now, their money has 40 years to grow before they hit state pension age”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight: Martin Rayner explains how effective financial planning requires balancing mortgage strategy with long-term wealth building, highlighting that overpaying a mortgage is not always the most efficient use of surplus income. His commentary emphasises the importance of pension contributions, tax efficiency and disciplined saving habits in building sustainable long-term financial security
Topic: Mortgage strategy, pension planning, and long-term financial planning
Published: 27 April 2026
Daily Express
New ‘death tax’ warning as experts say avoid HMRC threshold risk
The Quote: “Martin Rayner, Director at Compton Financial Services, added that the shift has been dramatic. He said: “People who would not have been exposed five or ten years ago are now being caught simply due to rising asset values. With straightforward steps taken in good time, this is often a tax that can be significantly reduced or avoided altogether.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight: Martin Rayner highlights how more families are being drawn into inheritance tax due to frozen thresholds and rising asset values, increasing the importance of proactive financial planning. His commentary emphasises that early estate planning, including the use of allowances, gifting strategies and structuring assets effectively, can play a key role in reducing potential inheritance tax liabilities.
Topic: Inheritance tax planning, estate planning, and wealth management
Published: 23 April 2026
Property Portfolio Investor
Virgin Money and Clydesdale axe buy-to-let lending as landlords reel from “crushing” market squeeze
The Quote: “Not every voice in the industry is sounding the alarm. Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, argues the decision reflects commercial logic rather than a wider loss of faith in the sector.
“This is less about lenders pulling back from buy-to-let, and more about commercial streamlining following Nationwide’s acquisition of Virgin Money and Clydesdale. Nationwide already has a dedicated buy-to-let arm in The Mortgage Works, so it makes little sense to run competing brands within the same group.””
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight : Martin Rayner highlights how the withdrawal of buy-to-let mortgage products by major lenders such as Virgin Money and Clydesdale reflects a shift towards a more specialist and selective lending market. His commentary emphasises that landlords now need to be more proactive in securing finance, with fewer lenders available and increased reliance on specialist providers, making tailored mortgage advice and forward planning increasingly important.
Topic: Buy-to-let mortgages, lender availability, and property investment strategy
Published: 15 April 2026
Business Matters
BADR hike branded a ‘tax-grabbing assault’ as Britain’s founders eye the exit
The Quote: “BADR has now increased by 80 per cent over the past decade and by a further 28 per cent in this latest change alone, this is not a one-off adjustment, it’s an ever-increasing tax on entrepreneurial success,” he said.
“And this doesn’t exist in isolation. Employer NI increases and minimum wage rises, which ripple upward through salary structures, not just the lowest tier, are already squeezing owners before they even think about exit.”
Rayner is blunt about the wider implications. “SMEs represent 99.9 per cent of all UK businesses. They are the backbone of this economy and the starting point of every large company. The risks of starting and growing a business keep rising while the rewards keep shrinking.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight: Martin Rayner highlights how repeated increases in Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) and wider cost pressures, including higher employer National Insurance and wage inflation, are placing growing strain on UK business owners. His commentary emphasises how rising taxation and operating costs are reducing incentives for entrepreneurship, potentially impacting business growth, investment decisions and long-term economic activity.
Topic: Business Asset Disposal Relief, SME taxation, and entrepreneurship
Published: 20 April 2026
Daily Mirror
New ‘six times income’ mortgage ‘eyes wide open’ alert.
The Quote: “This is the latest example of a lender pushing affordability further, which can be great for some borrowers, but does have its risks.
Yes, greater flexibility around what they can borrow will help some buyers, especially in more expensive and sought-after areas. But moving to six times income, combined with today’s higher mortgage rates, means significantly larger monthly repayments.
People really do need to go into a product like this ‘eyes wide open’. Just because you can access six times income does not mean you should — a lower mortgage may be far more sustainable.
“Borrowers need to consider what the next five years might look like, as they will have to live with these repayments for that whole period. This is not just about getting the mortgage, it is about being able to live with it comfortably.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services
Insight:Martin Rayner highlights how higher loan-to-income mortgages can increase borrowing capacity but also introduce significant affordability risks, particularly in a higher interest rate environment. His commentary emphasises the importance of long-term financial sustainability, encouraging borrowers to carefully assess repayment commitments and future cost pressures before taking on larger loans
Topic: Mortgage affordability, loan-to-income ratios, and borrowing risk
Published: 18 April 2026
Sky News Finance
Money live: mortgage options and rate strategies explained
The Quote: “Some borrowers are using trackers as a short-term strategy, planning to switch to a fixed rate if rates fall. This can work well, particularly with a no early repayment charge deal, as it allows you to move without penalty. The downside is you remain exposed to further increases. While the lowest tracker rates often have fees of around £999, if used short-term (less than 6 months), a no-fee option is often more cost-effective, especially below £500,000.
For people whose mortgage starts in three to six months, Rayner said securing a fixed rate now might be a good option.
“This protects against further rises while still allowing you to switch to a better fixed rate or tracker before completion if the market improves. The key is balancing flexibility with protection – rates could fall, but they could just as easily rise further given current uncertainty,
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight:Martin Rayner outlines how mortgage borrowers can use tracker mortgages as a short-term strategy while maintaining flexibility, and explains why securing a fixed rate early can provide protection against further increases. His commentary highlights the importance of balancing flexibility with certainty in an uncertain interest rate environment.
Topic: Mortgage strategy, fixed vs tracker rates, and interest rate risk.
Published: 10 April 2026
Daily Mirror
New HMRC rule starting this week ‘could send costs up’
The Quote: “Making Tax Digital in isolation is manageable. Most landlords could adapt to it. The issue is that it’s arriving alongside a relentless stream of new pressures.
Higher tax through the additional surcharge, regulatory changes, EPC requirements, and licensing schemes are all adding to the burden. Each change on its own may be justifiable, but together they create a constant squeeze on landlords.
Making Tax Digital won’t force an immediate exodus on its own, but it adds to that cumulative pressure and, for many, will be the tipping point. The result is fewer landlords, less rental stock, and ultimately higher rents for tenants“
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight:Martin Rayner explains how the introduction of Making Tax Digital adds to a growing list of financial and regulatory pressures on landlords. His commentary highlights the cumulative impact of tax changes, compliance costs and legislation, and how these are likely to reduce rental supply and contribute to higher rents for tenants.
Topic: Landlord taxation, Making Tax Digital, and rental market pressures
Published: 10 April 2026
FT Adviser
‘Savvy’ borrowers using tracker mortgages amid chaotic market
The Quote: “Compton Financial Services director, Martin Rayner, said that locking into a high fixed-rate now could be a mistake amid the current chaotic environment.
“Some borrowers are using trackers as a short-term strategy, planning to switch to a fixed-rate if rates fall,” he detailed.
This can work well, particularly with a no early repayment charge deal, as it allows you to move without penalty.
The downside is you remain exposed to further increases”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight:Martin Rayner highlights the trade-off between flexibility and risk when using tracker mortgages, providing expert advice when explaining that while they can offer short-term advantages, borrowers remain exposed to further increases in interest rate
Topic: Tracker mortgages, interest rate risk, and borrower strategy
Published: 09 April 2026
Daily Express
New HMRC rule this week ‘could send costs up’
The Quote: “Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, warned this could prove to be the “tipping point” for numerous landlords.
He added: “Making Tax Digital in isolation is manageable. Most landlords could adapt to it. The issue is that it’s arriving alongside a relentless stream of new pressures. Higher tax through the additional 2% surcharge, the Renters’ Rights Bill making it harder to regain possession or sell, costly EPC upgrades, and expensive licensing schemes in some areas – the list keeps growing.
“Each change on its own may be justifiable, but together they create a constant squeeze on landlords. Whether intentional or not, the direction of travel is clear. It’s becoming harder, more complex, and more expensive to be a landlord.
“Making Tax Digital won’t force an immediate exodus on its own, but it adds to that cumulative pressure and, for many, will be the tipping point. The result is fewer landlords, less rental stock, and ultimately higher rents for tenants.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight:Martin Rayner warns that while Making Tax Digital may be manageable on its own, it forms part of a broader shift in policy and regulation that is making the UK rental market increasingly complex and costly for landlords. He highlights the risk that this growing burden could act as a tipping point, accelerating landlord exits and tightening rental supply.
Topic: Landlord policy changes, regulatory pressure, and housing supply
Published: 10 April 2026
This Is Money
What next for mortgage rates – and how long should you fix for?
The Quote: “Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, urged borrowers to secure a deal now before it’s too late.
‘With mortgage shelf-lives collapsing to just 14 days, borrowers cannot afford to be complacent and wait until the last minute.
‘The smartest move right now is to secure a rate up to six months early. This acts as an insurance policy: if rates go up, you’re protected; if they come down, you can switch to the lower rate before you complete.
‘It’s the only way to guarantee you get the best rate over the next six months, rather than gambling on a single day.
‘In this volatile market, even a small rate change makes a huge difference. The difference between waiting and acting now could be massive.
‘On a typical £300,000 mortgage, shaving just 0.2 per cent off your rate saves you £1,200 over two years.’
” — Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight: Martin Rayner explains that comparing mortgage deals requires more than focusing on headline rates, as fees and product structure can significantly affect the true cost. He highlights the importance of having a clear mortgage strategy when assessing options and identifying the most suitable deal.
Topic: Mortgage strategy, deal comparison, and borrower decision-making
Published: 8 April 2026
Daily Mirror
Virgin Money customers get new update in ‘shock’ to borrowers from tomorrow
The Quote: ” Martin Rayner, Director at Compton Financial Services, said borrowing costs may stay higher in the short term. He noted: “Swap rates have risen by nearly 1% in a month, and mortgage pricing closely follows these movements. Lenders aren’t acting in isolation, they’re responding to the cost of funding, so when swap rates move this quickly, repricing is inevitable.
“The real question isn’t whether lenders are overreacting, but whether the swap markets have moved too far, too fast. Much of this volatility is being driven by geopolitical risk, particularly the situation involving Iran. Markets tend to price in worst-case scenarios, especially around oil supply disruption, which feeds into inflation and rate expectations.“
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight: Martin Rayner highlights how changes from lenders such as Virgin Money reflect the speed at which mortgage pricing can shift in response to market conditions. His commentary emphasises the importance of having a clear mortgage strategy, as borrowers may need to act quickly to secure suitable deals in a volatile rate environment.
Topic: Mortgage strategy, lender rate changes, and market volatility
Published: 25 March 2026
This Is Money
More than 300,000 Britons are at risk of redundancy this year as businesses battle higher costs amid Iran war
The Quote: “‘UK businesses are facing something of a perfect storm, with higher National Insurance, rising minimum wages pushing up pay across the board, new employment costs and still-elevated borrowing and overheads all feeding through at once.’
He added: ‘There had been some hope that falling interest rates would ease that pressure, but geopolitical tensions such as the Iran situation could delay rate cuts and keep financing costs higher for longer.
‘Continued cost pressures are likely to drive more restructuring, particularly in sectors already operating on tight margins, which will lead to job losses. The hospitality sector is likely to be one of the most affected.’
” — Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight: Martin Rayner highlights how rising global uncertainty and increasing business costs are beginning to filter through to the UK economy, with potential job losses creating additional pressure on household finances. His commentary emphasises how economic instability can influence borrower confidence, affordability and mortgage decision-making.
Topic: Economic uncertainty, mortgage affordability, and borrower confidence
Published: 21 March 2026
This Is Money
Nationwide and Virgin Money customers ‘hit with new £360 charge’
The Quote: “‘Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, explained why rising swap rates are being passed on to borrowers.
He added: “Rising swap rates lead to higher mortgage rates and also signal that markets expect interest rates to stay higher for longer, which can reduce affordability for borrowers and increase borrowing costs for businesses, potentially slowing housing activity and wider economic growth.
Markets are becoming less confident that interest rates will fall soon, with geopolitical tensions and inflation risks pushing expectations towards rates staying higher for longer.”
— Martin Rayner, Compton Financial Services.
Insight:Martin Rayner explains how rising swap rates are driving increases in mortgage rates, reflecting market expectations that interest rates may remain higher for longer. His commentary highlights the impact on affordability, borrowing costs and housing activity, linking mortgage pricing to wider economic conditions and market sentiment.
Topic: Mortgage rates, swap rates, and affordability
Published: 12 March 2026
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