News Archive for 2024

Barclays and TSB Slash Mortgage Rates, Setting the Tone for Further Reductions

On Tuesday morning, two major players in the mortgage market, Barclays and TSB, announced significant cuts to their mortgage rates, fueling speculation that more reductions may follow as the year draws to a close.Barclays introduced lower rates across several of its fixed-rate mortgage deals, including its standout offering � a five-year fixed-rate plan for ...

The UK is falling behind in the global effort to modernise power grids, investing four times more in renewable energy projects than in the electricity infrastructure needed to connect them to the grid and end-users, according to a new report. For every �1 spent on renewable energy, only 25p has been invested in the cables and power lines required, claims a study by Bloomberg NEF. This imbalance places the UK eighth among the world's 10 ...

Uncovering archaeological remains during site preparation can significantly impact construction timelines and costs. Developers must be well-informed about the potential implications of discovering historical artifacts and how to manage such situations effectively.

According to some experts, �Only 4% of planning applications in 2019 involved archaeological considerations, and fewer than 0.01% were refused on archaeological grounds.�

In ...

Bank of England Faces Tough Decision on Interest Rate Cuts as Budget Adds Inflation Concerns

With the Bank of England poised to announce its next interest rate decision, experts warn that policymakers are "navigating treacherous waters" due to new economic uncertainties introduced by the recent Budget and inflation forecast adjustments by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). While many expect the Bank to cut rates by 0.25%, a mix ...

Will the abolition of Section 21 evictions be paired with a court system that is efficient and effective?

The Renters' Rights Bill also aims to curb bidding wars and safeguard tenants whose landlords intend to sell or move into their properties. The previous Conservative government promised to abolish Section 21 evictions but failed to implement the policy for five years after first proposing it.

Letting agents and landlords have ...

New chancellor Rachel Reeves has reaffirmed Labour's pledge to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, a key promise in the party's election manifesto. Reeves outlined several major initiatives the new government will pursue, including the reintroduction of mandatory housebuilding targets.

She also declared the lifting of the ban on onshore wind farms and announced the creation of a task force to speed up stalled housing ...