Construction firms clear backlogs before downturn hits October 6, 2022 Construction firms are clearing a huge backlog of work, but the sector is on course to shrivel in the coming months as it is whacked by soaring interest rates, a closely watched survey published today. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the construction industry swung [...]
Lloyds profit remains flat on last year despite boost from rising rates but guidance lifted for the year July 26, 2023 Lloyds’ profit remained flat on last year despite the benefit of rising interest rates as the bank set aside more than anticipated to cope with bad loans. In the second quarter the high street bank recorded a pre-tax profit of £1.6bn, flat with last year but slightly lower than company compiled consensus. However, the profit [...]
Recession, rates and growth: Three things today’s GDP figures tell us about the health of the UK economy October 12, 2023 Although the UK economy returned to growth in August, a recession may still be on the cards.
HSBC lifts savings rates after government pressure June 29, 2023 HSBC UK and First Direct have unveiled plans to boost savings rates. Customers with HSBC UK accounts will see some savings interest rates increase from Friday 30 June, alongside a change to increase the higher-paying tier on the bank’s online bonus saver account. Those with an online bonus saver will be able to earn four [...]
Property boss urges Sunak to ditch tax breaks for eco-friendly home owners in 2023 January 4, 2023 Plans to offer stamp duty refunds to home owners who make their properties more eco-friendly are simply “a bad idea,” one of Britain’s largest property associations has told City A.M.. Banks last year urged the Government to incentivise changes by refunding stamp duty to buyers who pay for green upgrades within two years of making [...]
Are house prices really going up? London had lowest change across UK with average in capital now £543,000 February 15, 2023 The average UK house price ended last year £26,000 higher than when 2022 started, although the annual pace of growth in property values is slowing. Property values increased by 9.8 per cent in the 12 months to December 2022, which was weaker than the 10.6 per cent annual growth recorded the previous month. London’s average [...]
Young ‘upsizers’ drive demand for multi-million-pound homes in Mayfair April 6, 2024 London’s ultra wealthy have remained immune to the downturn in the housing market, with posh-pads in the exclusive neighbourhood of Mayfair now commanding a 50 per cent price premium compared to the rest of prime central London.
Crest Nicholson halts opening of new division as forward sales slow November 17, 2022 British housebuilder Crest Nicholson has halted the opening of its third new division as interest rates dampen the desire to buy a home. The FTSE250 housebuilder is not the first to voice caution over rising rates, which have pushed up mortgage costs for many – deterring Brits from jumping onto the property ladder. Forward sales [...]
FCA warns firms to act now or risk falling foul of incoming consumer duty regime February 22, 2023 Firms must act now to prepare for a new consumer duty, a boss at the City regulator has said. Sheldon Mills, executive director of competition and consumers at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), told firms: “You still have time to deliver. But you must act now.” Speaking at an online event hosted by Deloitte marking [...]
Borrowers ‘needn’t panic just yet’ after interest rates hike February 3, 2022 Real estate experts have said a rise in interest rates is “unlikely to dampen motivation to move” despite warnings that the news signals higher mortgage costs down the line. The Bank of England has hiked rates at successive meetings for the first time since 2004, with a majority of the Bank’s rate setters voting to [...]