Weaker UK economic outlook weighs on housing market; Pret hikes worker salaries – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Taylor Wimpey says weaker economic backdrop is hitting the near-term outlook Bank of England boss signals interest rates may have peaked More London-listed companies could choose to follow CRH’s plan and shift their primary stock market listing to New York, predicts Russ Mould, investment director […]
How rising interest rates sent the UK housing market into reverse
An end to ultra-low rates mean borrowers can only afford smaller mortgages BoE boss says interest rates may have peaked UK house prices fall at fastest annual rate since 2012 Since the turn of the year the news on the economy has been less bad than expected. Growth has been a bit stronger, spending in […]
UK mortgage market contracts for fifth month after Liz Truss mini-budget
Approvals at lowest since 2009 – bar during Covid lockdown – as demand for new homes continues to fall Britain’s mortgage market has contracted for a fifth month in a row, official figures show, as the jump in interest rates that followed Liz Truss’s September 2022 mini-budget continued to trigger a collapse in demand for […]
UK house prices fall at fastest annual rate since 2012
Year-on-year February 1.1% decline comes as average price of property drops to £257,406, says Nationwide BoE boss says interest rates may have peaked How rising rates sent the UK housing market into reverse Annual house price growth in the UK turned negative in February for the first time in almost three years, Nationwide data shows, […]
Hopes rise that UK might avoid recession after services sector rebound
Pound edges up as stronger economic growth increases chances of further interest rate rises A rebound across the UK’s services sector in February has raised hopes that the country might avoid recession in the first half of this year. Analysts said the bigger than expected surge in business activity appeared to show that the UK […]
Energy crisis stemming from Ukraine war ‘cost £1k for every UK adult’
Conflict came on top of our over-reliance on gas, says Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit The UK’s over-reliance on gas has been blamed for pushing up bills as it emerged that the energy crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine had cost the equivalent of £1,000 for every adult. A study by the Energy and […]
UK property asking prices stagnating, lifting hopes of softer landing for housing market – business live
UK property asking prices rose by just £14 in February, weakest gain on record, Rightmove reports, with sellers ‘more realistic’ about what property is worth Loss of nearly 15,000 UK retail jobs a ‘brutal start to 2023’, report says In the City, shares in retail group Frasers are leading the FTSE 100 risers after it […]
UK property demand declines as house prices in England fall
Further slowdown likely amid interest rate rise and cost of living crisis, says surveyors’ body Rics Property sales and house prices continued to decline across the UK in January, while new buyer demand and fresh listings were also down, surveyors have reported. A net balance of -47% for new buyer inquiries was reported, down from […]
UK house sales outlook for 2023 remains ‘uncertain’, says Barratt
Housebuilder reports ‘modest uplift’ in reservations of new homes in January but remains cautious Britain’s largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has reported grounds for optimism in the UK housing market after an increase in sales in January – but it said the trading outlook for 2023 remains “uncertain”. Barratt reported a “modest uplift” in reservations of […]
UK house prices flat after four-month fall as interest rates bite
Halifax figures show average house price largely unchanged in January at £281,684 UK house prices were roughly flat in January, having fallen in the previous four months, according to Halifax. Average prices were stable at £281,684 last month, the lender said, after sharp falls of 1.3% in December and 2.4% in November. Continue reading…