UK construction growth slows more than expected ahead of General Election but outlook is most positive in nine years April 2, 2015 The UK construction sector has disappointed, with official figures showing growth has slowed more than expected in the run-up to May's General Election. The latest data from Markit's purchasing managers index survey came in at 57.8 in March. Although that's still way above the 50 mark which denotes growth, it's significantly down from 60.1 in [...]
UK house prices: Sutton, Cambridge and Watford top the list of the UK’s property hotspots April 2, 2015 It's home to Channel 4 series PhoneShop. And, er, other things. Alright, so Sutton might not be the most glamorous place in the commuter belt – but it turns out that when it comes to the race up the housing ladder, the town is heavily in-demand. That's according to online estate agent Emoov, whose latest Property [...]
Prime residential rents in luxury London apartments hit their highest in three years April 1, 2015 London’s prime residential rents have risen to their highest level in three years thanks to the improving economy and record employment levels, research out yesterday claims. Although growth in the capital slowed to just 0.5 per cent in the three months to the end of December, rents rose 3.3 per cent year-on-year – the highest [...]
London labour market skills gap continues as red tape hinders overseas hiring April 1, 2015 London businesses are struggling to recruit people with the right skills and have called for cuts to red tape to make it easier to employ from abroad. Survey figures released today by the London Chambers of Commerce show that 54 per cent of firms looking to recruit over the past three months had difficulties, up [...]
UK productivity: Fourth quarter of 2014 worsened and absence of growth is “unprecedented” April 1, 2015 The UK's productivity fell at the end of last year leaving rates of growth at "unprecedented levels" not seen since the end of the Second World War. Productivity fell 0.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2014 compared to the previous quarter, leaving annual growth at 0.3 per cent for the year. It left output [...]
UK manufacturing PMI hits eight-month high in April’s Markit survey April 1, 2015 The UK's manufacturing sector grew at its fastest rate in eight months in March, in what could prove another boost to the Conservatives' economic record heading into May's General Election. Markit's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) came in at 54.4 in March, up on February's 54.1 and its highest since July last year. The boost came [...]
Selling off surplus public sector land could lead to more than 100,000 new homes in London March 31, 2015 Over 100,000 homes could be built in London surplus public land was sold back into the marketplace. The findings are one of a number of points made in an analysis of the London Land Commission that was set up George Osborne in February. Business group London First and law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, believe that [...]
UK exports: Venezuela is the riskiest place in the world to do business – while Norway is the most resilient March 31, 2015 Expanding abroad is a big step for any business – and that's without added risks from geopolitical instability and dodgy dealers, not to mention natural hazards. Now a new "resilience index" by property insurer FM Global has identified the riskiest places in the world to do business – taking into account factors ranging from corruption, [...]
Eurozone deflation: Consumer prices fell 0.1 per cent in March March 31, 2015 While inflation in the Eurozone fell for a fourth consecutive month in March the rate of decline slowed again, meaning it's even closer to returning to inflation. Consumer prices fell 0.1 per cent in March in line with analysts expectations, and up from -0.3 per cent last month, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, [...]
UK economic growth rises to 0.6 per cent in final quarter of 2014 March 31, 2015 In what could be a general election boost for the Tories, Britain's economy grew more than previously thought in the final three months of last year, official data has shown. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.6 per cent in the final quarter of 2014, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous estimate, according to data [...]