Close Brothers to scale back lending after motor finance hit July 9, 2025 Close Brothers is set to scale back its premium finance division in a bid to cut costs and focus on its offerings for businesses. The lender said on Wednesday it would begin to prioritise insurance products designed for businesses in its commercial lines, which the firm said offered better risk-adjusted returns and long-term growth potential. This will [...]
Will the Renter’s Rights Bill push up costs for student accommodation? July 9, 2025 The Renter’s Rights Bill is set to introduce huge changes into the UK’s property market. Landlords and tenants alike will see significant upheaval, with fixed-term tenancies abolished, no-fault evictions banned and pets allowed. But how much will all of this affect students? Unite, which is the largest provider of student housing in the UK, reckons [...]
OpenAI’s security crackdown signals new AI battle July 8, 2025 Silicon Valley’s $300bn crown jewel, OpenAI, is shifting focus from building artificial intelligence to protecting it. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT and arguably the most scrutinised name in AI, has imposed a sweeping internal lockdown. From biometric fingerprint scans, to offline ‘tented’ R&D zones, the San Fransisco-based firm is tightening security across the board amid [...]
Unite boosted by growing student numbers but warns on Renters’ Rights Bill July 8, 2025 Student of accommodation provider Unite has posted an uptick in the value of its two property portfolios, buoyed by high occupancy and growing rents, but warned the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill will increase costs for students. Unite said the value of its UK-wide portfolio grew by 0.6 per cent to £2.9bn, while its London portfolio [...]
UK housing market faces ‘considerable upheaval’ as sellers lose confidence July 7, 2025 Estate agents have warned that a turbulent global economy and changes to stamp duty have caused upheaval in the housing market after prices flatlined in June. UK house prices were stagnant in June, according to the latest data from Halifax, after a 0.3 per cent drop from April to May. “Today’s news suggests that house [...]
UK house prices stagnated in June, Halifax index finds July 7, 2025 UK house prices were stagnant in June with average prices flatlining at £296,665, according to the latest Halifax data. Despite a 0.3 per cent drop from April to May, the average UK house price was still 2.5 per cent higher than it was in June of last year. Properties in London saw a rise of [...]
Wimbledon: Tennis battles with its future off the court July 6, 2025 With Wimbledon well into its fortnight the spotlight has once again fallen on the Centre Court, with sold-out crowds, record prize money and the prestige of tennis hospitality all to last another week. A British upset or two is likely to fuel national excitement, while the Championships continue to top YouGov’s rankings as the most [...]
F1 owner Liberty Media’s MotoGP deal creates motorsporting behemoth July 3, 2025 By the close of play today Formula 1 owners Liberty Media will finalise a £3.6bn deal to buy MotoGP. The agreement will see Liberty Media purchase 84 per cent of Dorna – in cash – in a deal which last week got approval from the European Commission. “We believe the sport and brand have significant [...]
Formula 1 owners to complete £3.6bn deal for MotoGP July 2, 2025 Formula 1 owners Liberty Media will complete a £3.6bn deal to buy MotoGP by the close of play on Thursday. The agreement will see Liberty Media purchase 84 per cent of MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorna – in cash – after it last week got approval from the European Commission. “We believe the sport and [...]
London Museum welcomes return of Smithfield shops and bars parade July 2, 2025 Smithfield’s parade of shops and bars is set to return to the City as part of the Museum of London’s move to Farringdon. The museum, which is moving from 150 London Wall, will redevelop not just the market but the properties surrounding it, hoping to draw in around two million visitors annually. Each property will [...]