Government risks higher wind power prices as industry slams lack of funds for auction round April 12, 2023 The latest ongoing auction window for offshore wind projects could result in higher generation prices and a shortage in bidders.
Is HS2 holding up the UK’s construction industry? Output up but housebuilding continues to fall April 6, 2023 Civil engineering rose at its highest level since 2009 in March, according to a leading global index which measures the monthly construction output of the UK economy. At 50.7 in March, the headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global /CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – was [...]
A new tax year has started, here’s what you should be doing April 5, 2023 Savers have welcomed in a new tax year, starting Thursday 6 April. These include putting savings into tax free accounts such as Isas; the annual contributions limit for Isas will remain frozen in the 2023/24 tax year, from April 6, at £20,000. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at financial services provider Hargreaves Lansdown, said: [...]
Over half of businesses confident turnover will rise in the next year despite current stagnant sales April 4, 2023 Most firms have seen no boost to sales this quarter despite rising levels of confidence, a key economic report has revealed, as inflation remains the key concern for business. The British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) quarterly economic survey (QES) found in spite of rising optimism, only a third of firms saw sales increase in the [...]
UK economy on tightrope between recession and growth as exports slip but inflationary pressure eases in March April 3, 2023 Manufacturing fell in March, although fears the UK economy is entering a recession may be premature as inflation eased and average supplier lead times improved. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global /CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 47.9 in March, down from February’s seven-month high of 49.3 and an earlier flash estimate of 48.0. [...]
‘Hunt failed firms’: Warning of bleak outlook as businesses face 85 per cent drop in energy bill support – BCC March 31, 2023 Business leaders are stepping up warnings that firms will struggle to pay energy bills when a government relief scheme ends on Saturday.
How likely is a UK property market crash and what IS happening with house prices? March 31, 2023 This week prospective buyers were hit with another flurry of less-than optimistic reports about the outlook for the housing market; house prices continued to fall in value and mortgage approvals struggled to get above pre-pandemic levels. Nationwide’s report found that house prices fell 3.1 per cent in March, the largest annual decline since July 2009 [...]
Mortgage approvals snap back following mini budget chaos, but net lending at lowest since 2016 March 29, 2023 Mortgage approvals have improved for the first time since August, as the market begins to shake off the stress of the mini-budget, however experts have warned that the housing market will “remain price sensitive”. According to the Bank of England’s Money and Credit report for February, net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 43,500 [...]
Next shares plummet as retailer braces investors for a ‘difficult’ year March 29, 2023 Next share price fell 7.44 per cent this morning as it assured investors that it is prepared for a “difficult” year ahead, as soaring inflation looks set to rattle the high street powerhouse. The FTSE 100 listed retailer said that it was budgeting for full price sales to be down slightly by 1.7 per cent [...]
Bellway: How a spring uplift in the property market is giving housebuilder cause for optimism March 28, 2023 Bellway has said homebuyer demand has started to improve after seeing reservations plunge by nearly 50 per cent due to soaring mortgage rates. The housebuilder group, whose headquarters are in Newcastle, reported underlying pre-tax profits falling 4.6 per cent to £312.1 million for the six months to January 31. It delivered record revenues, up 1.6 [...]