France passes controversial pensions bill November 9, 2010 France’s Constitutional Council approved President Nicolas Sarkozy’s pension bill yesterday, clearing the last hurdle to a controversial reform that will raise the retirement age by two years to stem a huge pension deficit. Despite a late challenge by the opposition Socialist party, the council ruled that the proposed pension law does not breach constitutional rules. [...]
Osborne promises affordable properties to cushion large social housing savings October 20, 2010 CHANCELLOR George Osborne said yesterday that 150,000 affordable homes will be built by 2015, in a bid to ease the housing shortage. The spending review also promised to make it simpler to get permission to build new homes. The plans are intended to support private sector growth to balance out cuts to the housing welfare [...]
House prices drop for second month September 2, 2010 House prices fell for the second month in a row in August, according to the Nationwide building society. Prices dropped 0.9 per cent last month, following a 0.5 per cent fall decline in July. It is the first time that prices have fallen for two consecutive months since February 2009. The average UK house price [...]
House prices drop for second month September 2, 2010 House prices fell for the second month in a row in August, according to the Nationwide building society. Prices dropped 0.9 per cent last month, following a 0.5 per cent fall decline in July. It is the first time that prices have fallen for two consecutive months since February 2009. The average UK house price [...]
Rightmove: October jump saves London from a year-on-year fall October 17, 2010 AN eleventh-hour price jump in the London housing market saved it from a year-on-year fall, according to the latest Rightmove House Price Index. Asking prices spiked five per cent in October compared to the previous month – from £399,019 to £418,778 – as sellers aim to capitalise on the traditionally lively run-in to Christmas. This [...]
Rightmove: October jump saves London from a year-on-year fall October 17, 2010 AN eleventh-hour price jump in the London housing market saved it from a year-on-year fall, according to the latest Rightmove House Price Index. Asking prices spiked five per cent in October compared to the previous month – from £399,019 to £418,778 – as sellers aim to capitalise on the traditionally lively run-in to Christmas. This [...]
FTSE opens higher ahead of key data October 25, 2010 The FTSE 100 rose on opening this morning with heavyweight miners likely to be buoyed by a softer dollar after the Group of 20 major economies agreed to avoid competitive currency devaluations. The blue chip index looks set to gain 43 to 48 points, or as much as 0.8 percent, according to financial bookmakers, after [...]
FTSE opens higher ahead of key data October 25, 2010 The FTSE 100 rose on opening this morning with heavyweight miners likely to be buoyed by a softer dollar after the Group of 20 major economies agreed to avoid competitive currency devaluations. The blue chip index looks set to gain 43 to 48 points, or as much as 0.8 percent, according to financial bookmakers, after [...]
Focus owners seek financial help or a sale October 31, 2010 THE owners of the UK’s fourth-largest DIY chain Focus are looking to investment bankers to advise on the future of the heavily debt laden business, which could lead to a sale. US based private equity firm Cerberus is taking advice from Lazard on the future of Focus, and is in talks with its banks about [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS September 28, 2010 Insurance Institute of London The IIL has elected Stephen Catlin, the chief executive of the Catlin Group, as its new president, taking over from Willis group president Grahame Millwater. Catlin, who founded the insurer in 1984, has also previously served as chairman of the Lloyd’s Market Association and a member of the Lloyd’s Franchise Board. [...]