11 things we learned from Sajid Javid’s speech on the housing white paper February 7, 2017 Communities secretary Sajid Javid stood in the House of Commons today to unveil the government's long-awaited housing white paper, so what did we learn about the government's plans to fix the housing crisis? Well, not much. The speech was pretty vague. Javid said the government would be speeding up construction, encouraging institutional investment in the rental sector and [...]
Bellway boosted by strong affordable housing demand in London February 7, 2017 Bellway's share price has climbed three per cent this morning after the company reported a boost in sales due to a "significant" requirement for affordable housing in London. The figures Bellway increased its housing completions by 6.5 per cent for the six months ending 31 January; volumes reached 4,462, up from 4,188 during the same [...]
This is how far house prices fell in January February 7, 2017 House prices fell month-on-month in January, reversing the strong house price growth recorded at the end of last year. According to Halifax's house price index, house prices fell 0.9 per cent last month. Year-on-year growth was 5.7 per cent, down from an annual growth of 6.5 per cent in December. Read more: This is how [...]
We’ll never solve the housing crisis if we continue to blame it on house-builders and migrants February 7, 2017 England's housing disaster is well-publicised. Construction has not kept pace with demographic change and successive governments have failed to address the consequences. The hotly-anticipated housing White Paper, out today, will sound an attempt to address this and some backlash against its proposals seems inevitable. It’s commonplace for us to blame greedy house-builders or uncontrolled immigration, [...]
This is how far house prices have plunged in Chelsea February 6, 2017 Chelsea house prices fell by as much as 13 per cent year-on-year in January as vendors were forced to drop prices due to higher transaction taxes. Data from estate agents Knight Frank shows prices on high-end homes have dropped sharply in London's most sought-after neighbourhoods. In Kensington and Notting Hill, prices have fallen by 12 per [...]
Housing white paper: Deregulation and council targets are not enough – the government must confront our broken land market February 6, 2017 Following several rumours and proposed dates, it’s fair to say that anticipation surrounding the government’s housing white paper is ramping up. Reports last week suggested that the government is serious about committing to some real reforms, it’s just a question of whether they’re the right ones. Building on some parts of the green belt could certainly [...]
Everything that you need to know about this week’s housing white paper February 5, 2017 The government is set to reveal its long-awaited housing white paper this week after a series of delays. Q: Why do we need a housing white paper? A: There is a mismatch between supply and demand in the housing market which has caused prices to rise to levels that are unaffordable for many. Meanwhile, the [...]
Bank of America Merrill Lynch is looking for new space in the City despite Brexit uncertainty February 5, 2017 Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) has started its search for new office space despite the uncertainty of the City of London's future following the Brexit vote. The US banking giant is currently located near St Paul's Cathedral, but as its lease expires in 2022, the bank has started looking at other buildings that could [...]
Generation rent? Now the government wants to help you out February 5, 2017 The government will this week turn its attention to so-called generation rent, with promises of new measures aimed at helping those who are unable, or not yet ready, to jump on the housing ladder through home ownership. It is pledging to look at new ways of encouraging the building of more affordable rented homes across the [...]
Opinion: Is Bournville Village the key the solving the housing crisis? February 4, 2017 There’s nothing new about employers building houses for their employees. George Cadbury wanted to build a place full of green spaces, where industrial workers could thrive, away from city pollution. By 1895, 143 cottages had been built and Bournville Village was born. Another business industrialist with similar philanthropic ideals was the ‘soap king’ Lord Lever [...]