UK house prices: We can ramp up housebuilding by turning offices into flats – if the planners let us April 1, 2015 The UK suffers from an acute housing shortage, and this has led to prices outpacing incomes in nearly every year since the early 1990s. Most government initiatives to address this problem, however, have merely resulted in greater demand for properties. In fact, the only way to tackle the issue properly is to increase supply. But [...]
April Fools’ Day? Norfolk gives a broad hint on Nelson’s Column March 31, 2015 The Capitalist inbox has been swamped by a spate of press releases that can only be described as weird. Take, for instance, a plan to relocate Nelson’s Column from Trafalgar Square to the North Norfolk coast in time for the 210th anniversary of the death of the region’s most famous son. Visit North Norfolk says [...]
UK property prices: A third of all house sales are now to first time buyers March 30, 2015 A third of all house sales are now made to first-time buyers, a new report has found, suggesting the UK's housing market is becoming less hostile towards those attempting to climb the first rung on the property ladder. The report, by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), said 30 per cent of all house [...]
Chinese boom fuels jump in global deals March 29, 2015 A wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is on the way this year, driving a hiring boom in the City and shaking up industries across the globe. A combination of ultra-low interest rates and increasing confidence in the economy has encouraged firms to buy up rivals. And firms which see little room for organic growth [...]
London rents more than double UK average as high property prices lift sector demand March 29, 2015 Rents in London rose by eight per cent in February compared with the same month last year, as high property prices forced more people into the rented sector. For the UK as a whole, average rents increased by seven per cent in February compared with last year, figures released by estate agents Barnard Marcus show [...]
Housing shortage hits first-time buyers despite government help March 26, 2015 The UK’s chronic housing shortage is forcing first-time buyers to accept lower quality properties. Natural light was cited as not being vital by 51 per cent of prospective buyers, survey figures released today by estate agents Your Move and Reeds Rains show. Additionally, 63 per cent would go without a bath while 11 per cent [...]
Why Canning Town’s Rathbone Market is the perfect first-time purchase March 26, 2015 The Rathbone Market development near Canning Town is releasing a collection of new contemporary Shared Ownership homes. The two-bed flats will be on the market for £345,000, with Notting Hill Housing Group offering to sell a share of 40 per cent (£138,000), making it affordable for anyone with a household income of £49,000 or higher. [...]
Three Lions ready to maul lowly Lithuania at Wembley March 26, 2015 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS ENGLAND V LITHUANIA HARRY KANE will swap the white of Tottenham for that of England tonight after his displays this season prompted a well-earned international call-up. He responded to Roy Hodgson’s decision in emphatic style, scoring a hat-trick against Leicester, as Spurs maintained their push for European football next term. It was [...]
Maximum excitement expected around Harry Kane March 26, 2015 WITH English football’s new superstar Harry Kane due to play a part against Lithuania tonight, Sporting Index have priced up a number of specials around the Tottenham hitman. Traders are predicting he will play for 77-80 minutes. If you expect him to play less than 77 then you would sell, and if you expect him [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Sue Round talks fund management, sentimentality and being broke March 26, 2015 Buongiorno signora!” bellows the exuberant waiter at Bolton’s, an Italian tucked away in an unassuming corner near Leadenhall Market. “Hello, hellooo” comes the response. I know Sue Round has arrived, even before I see her. She greets me warmly, as if we’ve known each other for years. In fact, I’ve met Sue only once before [...]