UK credit scores: should you worry about a big shake-up?

Your credit score hellps determine whether or not you can borrow cash, including for mortgages. Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy

Your credit score is the magic number that helps lenders decide whether or not to approve a mortgage, loan or credit card application.

Typically, the higher the number, the better your borrowing prospects. But a shake-up of the scoring system at TransUnion, one of the UK’s three main credit reference agencies, could mean a shock next time you log in.