If you’re planning to put your home up for sale, there’s a lot to think about right now. As the first daffodils start to bloom across gardens and verges, the housing market usually blossoms too. In 2023, with expectations of slowing demand and house price falls, it has never been more important to focus on […]
Author archives: matthew
Spring Budget 2023 – key points
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the Spring Budget on 15 March declaring it to be “A Budget for Growth.” The fiscal update included a range of new measures, starting with the latest economic projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR): The Chancellor’s strategy for growth focuses on four pillars ‘Everywhere, Enterprise, Employment and Education.’ Key […]
News in Review
“Now is not the time for complacency” Speaking at an event last week, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva outlined the financial agency’s global growth expectations for 2023. The Fund believe, that despite labour market resilience and strengthening consumer demand, economic growth will drop below 3% this year and remain at […]
News in Review
“There’s underlying resilience in the UK economy” On Friday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revised its Q4 2022 data showing that the UK economy performed better than previously estimated. UK gross domestic product (GDP) is now estimated to have increased by 0.1% in the final quarter, up from the previous estimate of no growth. […]
Economic Review – March 2023
UK expected to avoid recession Revised forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the UK will not enter recession this year despite households facing a record drop in spending power. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest projections during his Spring Budget statement delivered to the House of Commons on 15 […]
Downsizing on the up
Cost-of-living difficulties are forcing people to reconsider their housing situations, with a new survey1 showing that three in ten UK homeowners are considering saving money by moving to a smaller property, relocating or living with others. Race for space? After the pandemic-induced race for space, downsizing is back on the cards. Almost one in five […]
Do I need to insure my solar panels?
More people are installing solar panels to their homes, spurred on by environmental concerns or the prospect of reduced reliance on the National Grid. Putting thousands of pounds on your roof can boost the value of your property, but do solar panels affect your home insurance? Come rain or… Having emerged in the 1950s, solar […]
News in Review
“We were really a bit on a knife edge as to whether there would be a recession… but I’m a bit more optimistic now” Last Wednesday, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to increase Bank Rate to 4.25%, the highest level for 14 years. Seven members of the committee opted for a […]
Residential Property Review – March 2023
Spring Budget – ‘trailblazer’ deals announced In the Spring Budget on 15 March, as part of the Levelling Up White Paper, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced ‘trailblazer’ deals giving new and deeper devolution powers to local leaders in the Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities. For the first time outside of London, local leaders will […]
Commercial Property Market Review – March 2023
Spring Budget – Investment Zones announced On 15 March, Jeremy Hunt delivered his “Budget for Growth” focusing on four pillars ‘Everywhere, Enterprise, Employment and Education.’ Encompassed within the ‘Everywhere’ pillar, Mr Hunt spoke about the government’s plans for ‘Levelling Up,’ including the launch of 12 new Investment Zones or “potential Canary Wharfs”. For each of […]