Thanks for the prompt reply.

Our combined salary is £45k so no worries on that aspect. I just struggle with what the problem is - we would be cutting our outgoings by consolidating and are 'happy' that we understand the risks of securing against property etc - but this appears to be our best hope by cutting out the monthly interest etc

We plan to phone them again to discuss it further as my husband was at work when they called so not the best time to take it all in. I don't think they understood that the bank statements as they stood at the moment included c/card payments - which of course would be gone after the mortgage was agreed.

Thanks again for the reply