<p>The Council of Mortgage Lenders says it expects to see stronger take up of NewBuy in the autumn as it revealed that August figures show mortgage lending is "stable".</p> <p>CML chief economist Bob Pannell said: "House purchase activity continues to be a little above year-earlier figures but the housing numbers are far from strong.</p> <p>"We expect to see stronger take up of NewBuy over the coming months, helped by a concerted marketing effort by builders and the recently launched Funding for Lending scheme which has prompted reductions in NewBuy mortgage rates. Both factors should stimulate buyer interest."</p> <p>Gross mortgage lending in August was £12.6 billion, 1% down on July and a 4% fall from £13.1 billion in August 2011</p> <p>* CML chief economist Bob Pannell will be giving his detailed views on mortgage lending at the Housing Market Intelligence conference on October 3 in London. To book, click <a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/booking.php?event_id=86">here </a></p>