UK house price growth hits its highest since March – and that’s before buy-to-let investors began the rush December 15, 2015 UK house prices grew seven per cent in the year to October, their highest growth since March. The average house price rose to £287,000, up from £286,000 in September, the Office for National Statistics said, as the prospect for low interest rates continued to fuel the market. The largest increase was experienced in the East of England, [...]
UK inflation: We’re back in the black as inflation moves into positive territory December 15, 2015 UK inflation rose to 0.1 per cent in November, figures by the Office for National Statistics showed today – putting the UK back into positive territory for the first time since July. But analysts were less than optimistic about its ability to stay in the black. The figures showed rises in transport costs and alcohol [...]
Commodities rout, competition issues and zero-hours contracts: Here’s Santa Plc’s annual report December 14, 2015 Last year City A.M. reported that after the financial crisis Santa Claus was in line for his merriest Christmas in years. But things are looking decidedly less festive in 2015. At the top of his naughty list this year? Governments, we suspect, who have not only created controversy over the zero-hours contracts he (probably) uses to [...]
The government’s buy-to-let stamp duty increase will cost landlords the equivalent of 11 months’ rental income December 14, 2015 George Osborne's hike of stamp duty on buy-to-let properties could cost landlords the equivalent of 11 months' income, new research has suggested. The Countrywide Lettings Index suggested that the three per cent rate will mean a 0.2 per cent drop in yields – the equivalent of 11 months' income, when you take into account borrowing costs. Those [...]
Forget the stiff upper lip: The UK has become more welcoming to overseas visitors December 8, 2015 The UK isn't exactly famous for its hospitality (cf. "Fawlty Towers") – but it turns out we're actually a welcoming bunch: new figures from Visit Britain have suggested tourists feel more welcome in the UK than they ever have. It's enough to warm the cockles… According to the figures, 42 per cent of the 5,000 visitors [...]
UK mergers and acquisitions fall again – as domestic deals fall to their lowest since 1969 December 8, 2015 The number of UK companies buying other UK companies fell to its lowest since 1969 in the third quarter – with just 31 transactions taking place. In fact, figures by the Office for National Statistics showed just 72 £1m-plus deals involving UK companies took place in the third quarter. That's down from 112 in the previous [...]
From 3D selfies to more cybersecurity woes – are these the 10 consumer trends that will define 2016? December 8, 2015 Crystal ball-gazing is an imperfect art, but technology manufacturer Ericsson has nevertheless had a go at predicting which consumer trends will be hot in 2016. And from 3D selfies to printing food, it all sounds a bit… futuristic. But company's ConsumerLab said consumer interest in them is "quite strong". So without further ado, here are 10 ways our [...]
Severe delays as services between London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street fall victim to “complete loss of signalling” – as DLR is beset by delays and Elephant & Castle traffic returns December 8, 2015 Services between London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street were disrupted this morning – as passengers were soaked waiting for trains. Train operator Southeastern said there was "severe disruption" on routes to and from Charing Cross and Cannon Street after a "complete loss of signalling" at London Bridge. There were also cancellations between New Cross and London Bridge [...]
House price growth dips as UK housing value increases by £1.8 trillion in 10 years December 8, 2015 The value of the UK's housing stock has jumped by £1.8 trillion in the past decade, research by Halifax showed today. UK homes are now worth £5.1 trillion, a 53 per cent jump from £3.3 trillion in 2005. That's a £76,316 rise for each home in the UK. The news came as Halifax reported annual house price [...]
Hornby sales slide – but Christmas trading starts well December 8, 2015 Not a great start to the Christmas period for toy manufacturer Hornby, as it unveiled sliding sales and bigger loss. But it has a cunning plan… The figures Group sales fell to £22.3m in the six months to the end of September, down from £24.2m during the same period last year. Meanwhile, statutory losses rose from £500,000 last year to £4.5m. But [...]
