London average hits £440k: First-time buyers in for a shock as house prices for newcomers rise £24 per day May 18, 2022 While celebrities can often be seen splashing millions of pounds on their first homes, the average first-time buyer (FTB) is spending £223,751 on their first property. In fact, the average FTB needs to find £43,623 more than they did in 2016 to secure their first own property, a 24 per cent increase, according to data [...]
Planning reforms: Govt U-turns over infrastructure levy after Chesham and Amersham defeat July 8, 2021 The Government has announced a significant change to its controversial proposals for the reform of the planning system. Speaking to the Local Government Association’s annual conference, Robert Jenrick – the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary – announced that the Government would backtrack on implementing a new nationally-set infrastructure levy that was initially outlined as part [...]
When solidarity dissolves, Britain needs to get a grip of immigration rules March 15, 2022 Yesterday, Secretary for Levelling up Michael Gove unveiled the Homes for Ukraine scheme, aimed at welcoming “tens of thousands” of refugees fleeing the war. The scheme seeks to complement the first corridor the government made available for Ukrainians who have relatives in the UK. Discontent inside and outside Westminster has been rife, with Downing Street [...]
Nation-wide metro mayors: A plan for regions to pull their own bootstraps up December 13, 2021 When the prime minister appointed Michael Gove to head up a rebranded Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in September’s reshuffle, it was a significant statement of intent. Gove is one of Whitehall’s biggest hitters, having run three major government departments, and is brain cell for brain cell one of the cleverest and most [...]
Westminster City Council sets out next steps for Oxford Street pedestrianisation alternative to tackle Elizabeth Line crowding July 2, 2018 After the controversial decision to put the brakes on Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans indefinitely, Westminster City Council will meet to discuss its alternative plans for the London shopping hotspot next week. The council's cabinet will meet on Monday 9 July to consider a report setting out the next steps for transforming the Oxford Street district. [...]
£15bn worth of London homes sit empty, as Londoners squabble over supply July 20, 2021 The value of London’s homes sat empty has racked up to £15bn, according to new data, as a rung on the property ladders edges further away from Londoners. London has made a name for itself as a destination for ultra-wealthy buyers to snap up prime real estate as assets and holiday homes, while prospective homeowners [...]
£2.9bn of investment planned for Oxford Street by 2022 November 13, 2019 Oxford Street and the surrounding area is set to receive a total of £2.9bn in investment over the next two years, according to a new report. Westminster City Council has committed to investing £150m up to 2023 to transform the area, including a proposed public piazza at Oxford Circus, a public square at Marble Arch [...]
Oxford Street: This is what the UK’s shopping destination could look like after lockdown March 11, 2021 Oxford Street – the world famous shopping destination that attracts millions of Londoners and tourists every year – is set to look drastically different when the city emerges from the latest coronavirus lockdown. An arts centre, 25 metre artificial hill and play areas in bus lanes are among the ideas that have been floated to [...]
Sir Iain Duncan Smith: ‘Sub-crisis’ emerging as loan sharks capitalise on rising cost of living March 28, 2022 With more than 1m Brits in debt to predatory illegal lenders, a “sub-crisis” may emerge as soaring costs of living heap added pressure on those with fragile finances. Former Conservative leader and ex minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been campaigning. But not for an election. The veteran [...]
Open the floodgates: Britain’s planning reform needs to defend our homes December 2, 2021 Brits have been told to brace for flooding with an exceptionally wet January and February forecast by the Environment Agency. In England, there are 5 million properties – one in six – at risk of flooding. Overflows are a complex issue encompassing planning and resilience, climate change and housing. But it is not one taken [...]