Many people have used the last couple of years to make positive life changes. Three in five people have questioned what is important in life, while half feel their priorities have changed1. Two in five credit the pandemic with encouraging them to build more long-term savings. However, one in four now feel less comfortable about […]
Author archives: charlie
Economic Review – June 2022
Slowdown fears mount The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics show the UK economy unexpectedly shrank in April, increasing concerns about future growth prospects. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the economy shrank by 0.3% in April following a fall of 0.1% in March; this was the first contraction in […]
News in Review
“The property market has continued to perform very well so far this year” Despite a combination of economic and inflationary headwinds, homebuying demand remained strong during Q2 according to the most recent Homebuyer Hotspot’s Demand Index from GetAgent. In the second quarter of the year, buyer demand – based on the stock listed as sold, […]
News in Review
“Both retailers and their customers are in for hard times ahead” UK retail sales contracted in May as consumers reduced their spending, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last Friday. As prices continue to rise and the impact of inflation on household finances intensifies, retail sales volumes fell by 0.5% […]
Residential Property Review – June 2022
UK housing market – busy but slowing Following two frenetic years, UK housing market activity remains strong, despite some signs of a slowdown beginning to emerge. In April 2022, sales agreed were 18% higher than the month’s pre-pandemic average, according to TwentyCi. Completions too remained 13% above the 2017-19 rate. First-time buyers (FTBs) continue to […]
Commercial Property Market Review – June 2022
Quality is key for London office space After its pandemic-induced hibernation, London’s office market has kicked back into life, with demand from Central London occupiers in Q1 2022 more than 34% above the five-year quarterly average, according to Savills. As confidence returns to the office market, more Central London occupiers are increasing their total space […]
News in Review
‘We have the tools and determination we need to reduce inflation and I am confident the Bank will play their part in making that happen’ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to raise Bank Rate last week, hiking the rate from 1% to 1.25%, the fifth consecutive rate rise. The MPC voted six to three […]
Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance boosts efforts on climate change
With a pledge to reduce environmentally damaging emissions from portfolios by half by 2030 and to accelerate sustainable finance, the influential investor group Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance has ramped up its commitment to tackle climate change. The prominent investor group, comprising 70 large institutions, has pledged that member firms will aim to reduce emissions linked […]
2022’s buy-to-let hotspots
Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Luton have been hailed the best top five cities for landlords to invest in this year, based on analysis of key indicators impacting BTL desirability (including average total rent, the best short-term returns through yield and long-term return through house price growth)1. Investors have been eschewing London, which has slipped […]
IHT reporting – all change
Keeping up to date with tax changes can be challenging and you may have missed this one in relation to the reporting of Inheritance Tax (IHT), especially as it’s not something most of us will deal with very often. ‘Excepted estate’ The changes came in at the start of the year and apply to the […]