Britain needs an industrial house-building revolution to tackle housing market failure January 14, 2016 The world is moving from uncertainty to instability. Economic, political and social “flashpoints” include the United States, EU, China, North Korea and the Middle East. While the UK has sensible economic goals – 2.5 per cent growth, 2 per cent inflation, £1 trillion of exports by 2020 and improved public finances – progress is mixed. [...]
Looking beyond London: These are the five best cities to buy property in right now October 16, 2015 When considering real estate investment opportunities, people normally think of western cities like London and New York. But by dong so, they could lose out – emerging cities across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America are filled with openings that could bring great rewards. Based on market trends, infrastructure developments and commercial, residential [...]
London house prices: The property rental market is being haunted by ghost-listings October 15, 2015 The crazy London property market has created another spectre that will leave renters with a chill down their spine. The letting market is being haunted by ghost-listings – ads for properties to rent that don't really exist. Eerily reminiscent of ghost gazumping which plagued house buyers last year, some estate agents (as if they weren't despised enough) are listing details of properties they've nicked [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
London can revive its industry and double house-building by getting creative with its space October 18, 2015 The average Briton spends eight hours and 41 minutes using digital devices each day, according to Ofcom – more than they sleep. It is therefore little surprise that we are also the biggest online shoppers in Europe, and this rapid growth in e-commerce partly explains London’s resurgent industrial sheds market, required to stock goods. Transactions [...]
Knight Frank development opportunity areas: These 18 places could experience the highest levels of housebuilding over the next few years November 16, 2015 The Conservatives may have promised a housebuilding revolution during the election – but where will those new homes actually appear? New research by Knight Frank suggests the answer is Manchester and Leeds. The upmarket estate agent has ranked the local authorities which provide the best opportunities for property developers over the next 10 years – and the two areas are [...]
UK house prices: It’s not just London where luxury house price growth is slowing – prime property price growth is slowing across the world November 3, 2015 It's well known that price growth among London's most high-end properties has slowed in recent months as various factors – including a punishing stamp duty regime and a slowdown in China – took effect. But it turns out it's not just London where prices have slowed: growth is slowing across the world. The Prime Global Cities [...]
July Budget 2015: From the pensions expert to the PwC economist, reactions to the chancellor’s statement July 9, 2015 THE BUSINESS GROUP Confederation of British Industry director general John Cridland Firms will welcome measures to boost investment but will be worried about paying living wage. “This is a double edged Budget for business. Firms will welcome measures to balance the books and boost investment, but they will be concerned by legislating for wage increases [...]
Croydon poised for 63 per cent surge in office rents by 2017 as the borough undergoes a revival December 1, 2015 Croydon office rents are set to surge by 63 per cent in the next two years, new research shows, as the south London borough undergoes a revival and new schemes come onto the market. According to Savills, rents will rise from £24.50 per sq ft to £40 per sq ft (£430 per sq m), putting Croydon [...]
South east and London: These regions feel most confident about house price growth according to Knight Frank and Markit Economics November 20, 2015 Homeowners in the south east and London think they're sitting on the property equivalent of a gold mine. The Knight Frank and Markit Economics house price sentiment index (HPSI) showed that those in the south east expect the biggest rise in their value of their homes over the next year, followed by Londoners. In fact, expectations for house price [...]