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The Halifax yesterday launched a new range of 10-year fixed-rate mortgages for those moving home or switching from another lender.

Home mover rates start at 2.44% for those with a 60% loan-tovalue, and 2.59% for a 75% loanto-value.

For remortgage customers, rates begin at 2.69% (60% LTV) and 2.89% (75% LTV). All the deals also come with a £995 fee.

Andy Bickers, mortgages director at Halifax, said: “We know that many homeowners are looking for certainty with their mortgage payments over the longer term to give more peace of mind when it comes to their monthly outgoings.”

It comes as figures show the number of mortgages on offer has reached the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

Just over 5,000 home loan deals are available, said industry experts Moneyfacts, with 244 launched in the past month alone. However, whereas 54% of mortgages in 2008 were fixed rates, now that figure has jumped to 82%.

The average two-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained at 2.52% over the past month.