Property prices are continuing to soar – and it’s not just because of stamp duty May 17, 2016 There's yet more evidence that the government's stamp duty changes forced house prices up in March – but experts are warning that a chronic undersupply of housing will continue to push prices up overall. UK house prices increased by nine per cent in the year to March 2016, up from 7.6 per cent in the year to [...]
Property Premier League: These are the top hot spots for house price growth in the UK (and Leicester isn’t number one) May 17, 2016 You might not have backed the winning team in this year's Premier League – but perhaps you fared better in the property world's equivalent? If you don't want to see the results – and we're talking to you, Manchester City fans – look away now. Over the course of the football season Watford has been crowned the winner [...]
CMA: UK banks must cap overdraft fees, adopt better technology to make switching easier May 17, 2016 Banks will have a maximum monthly charge they can impose on customers for using unarranged overdrafts, and be forced to give greater warnings to people who are about to go into the red to give them time to avoid charges, under new proposals put forward today. The Competition and Markets Authority, which has been carrying [...]
Vodafone raises dividends as it predicts better things to come May 17, 2016 Vodafone's share price rose in early trading this morning, after the telecoms giant reported further declines in its final results for the year – but forecast a turnaround to come in 2017. The figures Group revenues fell three per cent to £40.9bn in the 12 months to 31 March, while group services revenues dropped 3.5 per cent to £37.2bn. Organic revenues [...]
Debenhams is placing its Irish business into examinership after sustaining years of losses May 12, 2016 Debenhams is putting its Irish business into examinership, in the hope of gaining some breathing space in which to restructure after successive years of losses. The department store said it had applied to the High Court in Dublin to appoint an interim examiner "with the objective of restructuring its operations to create a competitive and sustainable business in [...]
EU referendum: Brexit could plunge UK into recession, claims Bank of England governor Mark Carney May 12, 2016 A vote to leave the European Union could plunge the UK into recession, Mark Carney warned today. The Bank of England governor said the the effects of Brexit "could possibly include a technical recession" as the Bank said a vote to Leave would lead to a "material" slowdown in growth, lead to higher unemployment and higher [...]
Marks & Spencer unveils shake up of management team May 12, 2016 Marks & Spencer has revealed a shake up of its senior management team "to drive speedier decision making and move the business closer to its customers". Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne is becoming executive director of customer, marketing & M&S.com, taking on new responsibilities for M&S.com and the retailer's CSR initiative Plan A. It is not clear what will happen [...]
Open data: London is streets ahead when it comes to helping commuters plan their journey – but we mustn’t become complacent May 12, 2016 Whether we’re trying to navigate around traffic jams or route closures, find the quickest way to a meeting or explore a new area of the city, many of us rely on technology to identify the best route to take. Transport and navigation apps have been allowed to flourish in London thanks to the availability of real-time and static [...]
Sadiq Khan will need to be radical in his thinking to solve London housing crisis May 12, 2016 The election of Sadiq Khan as London's new mayor neatly demonstrates what makes London a great city. Through his victory, Khan highlights that London is a city of opportunity where success is not dependent on a privileged upbringing. However, the attraction of London – thanks to its thriving economy and its ability to attract talent – [...]
EU Referendum: Vote Leave issues veiled threat to ITV over Brexit debates May 12, 2016 Vote Leave has issued a veiled threat to ITV, warning there will be "consequences" to what the group claims is a Remain bias. The campaign group has lambasted the broadcaster for scheduling a programme in which David Cameron and Nigel Farage will debate the issue in a programme on 7 June called Cameron and Farage Live: the [...]
