Wage growth comes in ahead of expectations despite loosening labour market November 12, 2024 Bank of England rate-setters received a mixed picture from the latest labour market figures, with progress on wage growth stalling even as unemployment crept up. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), pay growth excluding bonuses eased to 4.8 per cent in the three months to September, down from 4.9 per cent previously but [...]
Bank of England set to lower interest rates as Budget dampens bets for 2025 November 3, 2024 The Bank of England is expected to lower interest rates this week, while markets are betting on fewer cuts next year after forecasts suggested the new government's first Budget will push up inflation.
Housing market continues to strengthen as mortgage rates fall October 29, 2024 New figures from the Bank of England showed that 65,600 new mortgages were approved in September, the highest figure since August 2022.
Accounting firm RSM US in talks for merger with UK arm October 11, 2024 RSM US is reported to be in talks to acquire its UK arm, if green light, would be the first major transatlantic combination in the accountancy sector
Leeds landmark sold for almost £80m in city’s biggest deal for over five years October 8, 2024 A landmark building in the heart of Leeds’ financial district has been sold for almost £80m in the city’s largest office deal for more than five years. Ashtrom Properties UK has acquired Central Square, which is home to the likes of M&S, PwC an Sky, for £78m. Central Square comprises 217,249 sq ft of office [...]
Mortgage approvals hit highest level in two years as housing market recovers September 30, 2024 According to figures from the Bank of England, 64,900 mortgages were approved last month, up from 62,500 in July.
Databricks opens first European HQ in London in bet on UK September 20, 2024 Data and AI giant Databricks is set to open its first official European headquarters in London, as it looks to cement the UK as a key market for growth. The company’s UK staff are set to move into the new Fitzrovia-based office on Monday, ahead of an official launch event on 3 October. While Databricks [...]
Services firms benefit from post-election stability and rosy economic outlook September 4, 2024 The survey put activity in the services sector at its fastest pace since April, extending the current period of growth to ten months.
City deals advisers gear up for rebound after election pushed M&A to four year low September 3, 2024 The City’s deals advisers are gearing up for a rebound in activity in the closing months of the year after election uncertainty pushed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to a four-year low in June, according to fresh figures today. The value of total deals involving UK firms, as either targets or buyers, slumped to £11.8bn in [...]
London hotel occupancy rates return to pre-Covid levels but services inflation fears fueled August 29, 2024 London hotels enjoyed another strong month in July as occupancy rates finally ticked back up to peak occupancy levels seen in summer 2019, but it’s not all rosy for the industry. London occupancy reached 89.3 per cent, up on 84.6 per cent last year and back to peak occupancy levels seen in July 2019. Despite [...]