Government warned over demand for landlords to retrofit homes June 5, 2025 Government plans to improve the energy efficiency of private rented housing are “unachievable” due to a shortage of skilled workers, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned. Under current proposals by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which are aimed at keeping homes warm and energy bills low, landlords have until [...]
Estate agency Foxtons targets commuter towns in drive for growth June 4, 2025 London’s biggest estate agency, Foxtons, expects ever-rising demand for rental homes in and near the capital to help it double its profit in the medium term. The sales and lettings agency outlined plans to double its profit to £50m over the medium term by acquiring estate agents in commuter towns, integrating AI, and enhancing consumer loyalty. Chief [...]
Reeves won’t rule out extending income tax threshold freeze June 4, 2025 Rachel Reeves has vowed not to repeat the scale of tax rises in last year’s Autumn Budget as businesses brace for further hikes to meet the chancellor’s wafer-thin fiscal headroom. As much as £40bn in tax rises was unveiled in the budget, including huge hikes to employer National Insurance Contributions, which added millions of pounds [...]
Britain’s biggest growth threat is giving into doomsterism June 4, 2025 As the Spending Review looms over Westminster, Britain must not just lie down and accept decline, writes Simon Clarke.
Andrew Bailey: Surveys point to weak UK economy June 3, 2025 Andrew Bailey has backed the Bank of England’s low growth outlook, highlighting dreary business surveys which indicate the UK economy looks set to weaken. In an appearance in front of the Treasury Select Committee, the Bank Governor said growth of 0.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year was a “good number” but [...]
Hospitality ranks bottom for UK wages as sector struggles with costs June 3, 2025 Hospitality workers are now the worst-paid employees in the UK as the sector continues to struggle with high costs. A combination of high energy prices, high wholesale prices and high taxes have squeezed margins in the last two years, making it hard for a sector pummelled by the pandemic to recover. Accommodation and food service [...]
Victims of forced prepayment meter installation to receive £18.6m May 28, 2025 Tens of thousands of Brits are set to receive compensation after being forced to install prepayment devices in their homes. Eight energy suppliers will be writing off debts or providing compensation – valued at a total of £18.6m – to at least 40,000 consumers. This follows a review by Ofgem, the national energy regulator, which [...]
Offshore wind: Banks hesitant to support developments May 28, 2025 Banks are proving hesitant to finance offshore wind projects due to concerns surrounding the use of Chinese equipment, according to a new report. Security concerns, a lack of precedent and doubts that China-based equipment manufacturers can provide sufficient guarantees around performance have led would-be financiers to sit on their hands before plugging in cash, energy [...]
London slips from top smart centre spot May 28, 2025 London has lost its place as the world’s top hub for science and tech innovation after a sobering report warned of the City’s slipping global status. The UK’s capital fell behind San Francisco and Zurich which stormed ahead with a gain of 16 and 6 points respectively. Meanwhile, London’s rating shed three points as it [...]
Energy bills to fall as Ofgem cuts UK price cap by seven per cent May 23, 2025 UK households are set to see a modest drop in their energy bills this summer, after regulator Ofgem revealed a seven per cent cut to its quarterly price cap – the first reduction in a year. The announcement will bring the average annual bill for a typical household in the UK down from £1,849 to [...]