British Steel buyer set for £120m government support package December 19, 2019 The Chinese takeover of failed manufacturer British Steel has been bolstered by reports the government is in the process of finalising a £120m package to help protect jobs in the area. Business secretary Andrea Leadsom and minister Nadhim Zahawi met executives from Jingye Group on Wednesday to discuss completing the purchase. Read more: British Steel [...]
First-time buyer mortgage approvals increase in October December 17, 2019 The number of first time buyers securing mortgages jumped in October, according to the latest data. There were 32,260 new first-time buyer mortgages completed, 2.8 per cent more than in October last year. Read more: UK mortgage lending dips as buyers hesitate in Brexit uncertainty The number of homemover mortgages completed in the month grew [...]
British Steel deal could fall through as Chinese buyer Jingye ‘falters’ December 15, 2019 The takeover of British Steel by Chinese giant Jingye is said to be in jeopardy, as the government lines up alternative buyers. If the talks between the Official Receiver and Jingye collapse, it will be the second time the government’s chosen buyer for the stricken firm falls through. Read more: Jingye Group promises to save thousands [...]
Conservative election victory sparks sharp recovery in housebuilder stocks December 13, 2019 The uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the country’s future has long been blamed as a source of the property market’s recent struggles. However a sizeable Conservative majority in the general election has already resulted in a sharp rise in housebuilder stocks. FTSE 100 firm Taylor Wimpey’s share price rose by 11.4 per cent in early morning [...]
Four reasons why selling your house at Christmas might actually work December 13, 2019 Christmas is a time for many things. Family. Bad music. Overeating. One thing it’s not the time for is putting your home on the market. Or is it? According to some London agents, selling your house during the holidays might not be the complete no-no that you think. Here are some reasons why you might [...]
Don’t ignore your opponent’s ideas — you could learn from them December 13, 2019 UK politics is a machine for killing good ideas. It’s brutal, adversarial, and first past the post. Our party-bound MPs almost never ask the only question that matters: based on the facts, what is best for the country? Imagine that your company has a complex problem. Three of you work up ideas to solve it. [...]
Ted Baker needs a dose of urgent first aid December 13, 2019 Oh, the irony. David Bernstein was in Switzerland in his capacity as chairman of the British Red Cross when he took a phone call ousting him as chairman of Ted Baker on Monday evening. Forget the Red Cross: it’s the fashion retailer which requires emergency aid. In the nine months since founder Ray Kelvin quit [...]
George Freeman: We can’t afford Corbyn December 12, 2019 Today voters will decide the future of our country not just for the next five years but for generations to come. The nightmare prospect of another hung parliament on Friday 13th that can only deliver more confusion, squabbling and delay is perilously close. The outcome of this election is too close to call — a [...]
Holiday homes: Limassol seeks new lease of life as a luxury property hotspot December 6, 2019 Cyprus has long been a favourite family holiday destination – sunny nearly all year round, moderately priced and famed for its homely Mediterranean cuisine and relaxed atmosphere. Glitzy St Tropez it is not, but that is all set to change as Limassol – located on Cyprus’ south coast – sets its sights on becoming Europe’s [...]
Focus on Southgate: Second steppers find space in this family home hotspot December 6, 2019 Southgate in North London is a magnet for families, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it have high-performing schools and an abundance of ample-sized properties, it also has plenty of green space (Grovelands, Broomfield and Oakwood parks are all nearby) and excellent links to central London thanks to its zone four Piccadilly [...]