UK landlords urge new prime minister to strengthen supply amid record rent costs July 15, 2022 The UK’s new prime minister must address the trickling supply in the rental market, an industry body has urged, as average costs spiral northward. The heated rental market, which has seen tenants often offering over the asking price in order to secure a tenancy, is weighing on Brits’ aspirations for homeownership, according to the National [...]
Mortgage approvals fall following interest rate rises May 31, 2022 Mortgage approvals have fallen to the lowest level seen since the peak of the UK’s house-buying frenzy in June 2020, according to official data today. Brits were approved 66,000 mortgages in April, down from 69,500 in March, data from the Bank of England has revealed. This is slightly below the pre-pandemic average of 66,700, [...]
Our housing system needs to find flexibility in how we use undeveloped brownfield land March 1, 2022 The housing crisis is an oft used term to describe a wide array of problems facing Britons. There’s cladding problems, safety problems, access problems and affordability. But the common denominator is the lack of alternative housing stock. For those struggling to access social housing lists, those in need of emergency accommodation, or even students in [...]
Bank of England drops mortgage market affordability test after less than a decade June 20, 2022 The Bank of England said this morning that its Financial Policy Committee will withdraw the so-called mortgage market affordability test. “Following its latest review of the mortgage market, the Financial Policy Committee has confirmed that it will withdraw its affordability test Recommendation,” the BoE said in a statement. This will come into effect from 1 [...]
Government support packages rescue Ovo Energy from financial turmoil September 26, 2022 The UK's third largest supplier feared for its long-term viability as energy from before the Government's rescue package.
Why Chinese wine is so hot right now January 27, 2023 Sunday marked Chinese New Year, an excellent reason to sample some of the country’s incredible wines. Despite making wine for over 2,000 years, it is only relatively recently that winemaking has increased and started filtering into the UK’s market. “Wine is becoming popular because younger people are more influenced by Western tastes, and grape wine [...]
Battery giant Gresham House Energy Storage Fund records soaring revenue of 170 per cent April 6, 2022 Battery storage giant Gresham House Energy Storage has recorded soaring revenue of 170 per cent for 2021, with £80.4m of profit. Publishing its third annual set of results since listing on the London Stock Exchange, it announced EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortiSation) of more than £42m, up 172 per cent. This comes [...]
John Lewis returns to profit but cuts staff bonus for third year running March 14, 2024 The employee owned John Lewis Partnership (JLP) will again not pay staff a bonus this year, but has reported a return to proft.
Barclays told to pay £1m to more than 1,000 mortgage customers over PPI breaches November 9, 2022 The UK’s competitions watchdog has ordered Barclays to pay up to £1m in compensation to at least 1,000 of its mortgage customers, over its failure to comply with rules around Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policies. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Barclays should pay compensation to as many 1,306 of its mortgage customers, [...]
Garden products manufacturer Marshalls to buy roof tile maker Marley in deal worth £535m April 6, 2022 FTSE 250 paving stone manufacturer Marshalls is set to acquire roof tile manufacturer Marley Group in a deal worth £535m. The garden materials maker struck a conditional deal to acquire Marley, in line with its plans to “become the UK’s leading manufacturer of products for the built environment.” The West Yorkshire headquartered firm said Marley [...]