WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 11, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES CBI chief attacks lack of growth The head of Britain’s biggest employers’ group has strongly criticised the government for the “really disappointing” implementation of its growth plan, asking: “Where are the diggers on the ground?” John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said members of the government appeared to be “dazzled in the headlights”, [...]
UK mortgage approvals jump December 8, 2011 Loans for home purchases hit their highest since December 2009 in November, according to data out today from e.surv chartered surveyors, thanks largely to loose mortgage conditions. Purchase approvals rose from 52,743 in October to 54,658 in November on a seasonally adjusted basis – an increase of four per cent, and 15 per cent higher [...]
UK mortgage approvals jump December 8, 2011 Loans for home purchases hit their highest since December 2009 in November, according to data out today from e.surv chartered surveyors, thanks largely to loose mortgage conditions. Purchase approvals rose from 52,743 in October to 54,658 in November on a seasonally adjusted basis – an increase of four per cent, and 15 per cent higher [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 12, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Co-op nears cut-price Lloyds deal The Co-operative Group is close to agreeing final terms with Lloyds Banking Group to buy 630 of its branches in a deal expected to be struck at a steep discount to the previously mooted £1.5bn price tag. But Lloyds, 40 per cent owned by the government, would be [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 22, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Electricity market reforms unworkable The Treasury’s refusal to back the energy department’s low-carbon agenda has made flagship electricity market reforms “unworkable”, “vacuous” and counterproductive, the government has been told. A draft bill designed to spur billions of pounds of spending on power sources such as wind farms and nuclear plants is so flawed [...]
What to look out for in the Budget March 20, 2012 ● PERSONAL TAXES The tax-free personal allowance was originally due to go up £630 to £8,105 as part of a long-term plan to take everyone earning below £10,000 out of income tax. That increase will be accelerated – almost doubled, in fact – as part of a plan to help low-earners more. But the scheme is [...]
WHAT DOES THE CHANCELLOR’S BUDGET MEAN FOR YOU? March 21, 2012 CATHERINE GANNON, 50,MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAW FIRM GANNON Catherine lives with her children, aged nine and 11, in a home she owns with a mortgage. She set up her firm nine years ago and worries about red tape and taxes. When travelling to meet clients, she uses the tube. She earns over £100,000, and has [...]
Home ownership to slide says Bank’s David Miles November 22, 2011 FIRST-TIME buyers are taking longer to save for large deposits, and so the number of owner-occupiers is set to fall, David Miles from the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee said in a speech yesterday. The transition to a society with fewer homeowners will be painful, he warned, but could have long-term benefits to the [...]
Vim added to trusty Audi estate August 7, 2012 Audi’s A6 Allroad model has long been something of the unsung hero in its ever-expanding model range. Is it an oddity? Well, it’s certainly unique. An estate car with four-level height adjustable suspension and quattro all-wheel-drive – A6 Allroad appeals to people that want a rugged car but for whom an SUV just doesn’t cut [...]
Veolia sells UK water unit to Rift for £1.2bn June 28, 2012 FRENCH utility Veolia Environnement has sold a majority stake in its regulated UK water business for £1.24bn including debt, notching a milestone in its overhaul aimed at returning to profitability and cutting debt. It is the first significant divestment since chairman and chief executive Antoine Frerot announced a reorganisation in December to cut debt that [...]