News in Review
In August, home searches were up 7%, marking the strongest annual increase in 12 months According to a trade body survey, 37% of the hospitality sector believes the new government will provide a boost Retail sales volumes fell further last month, with activity falling from a weighted balance of -26% in July to -48% in […]
Economic Review – August 2026
Recent data shows the UK second-quarter growth was more resilient than anticipated – 0.4% growth The latest Labour Market Overview published by ONS in August painted a muted picture of the UK jobs market According to ONS, consumer spending slowed as the volume of goods sold fell by 0.5% over the month UK second-quarter growth […]
Commercial Property Review – August 2026
Office occupancy – AI firms are helping to drive demand for office space in Central London Hotel sector – UK hotel investment volumes reached approx. £2.1bn in the first half of 2026 Retail – Retail park vacancy rates hit a record low, with 1.8% of the total UK floor space currently available Office sector update […]
News in Review
Organisations are to be assessed on the creation of high-quality jobs and local skills development The exceptionally hot spring and summer could put further pressure on household food bills, according to analysis S&P Global Services PMI confirmed the UK service sector recorded its first increase in business activity for three months “I want every government […]
News in Review
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 6–3 to leave Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% at its July meeting The Chancellor confirmed the next Budget for 28 October 2026, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility forecast Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed social care reform in England and did not rule out tax rises to help fund changes […]
Economic Review – July 2026
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 6–3 to leave Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% at its July meeting The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by less than expected – 2.6% in the year to June, down from 2.8% in May UK consumer confidence rise helped by Burnham ‘bounce’, weather and World Cup while business confidence dips […]
News in Review
Latest government policy announcements include a 20% cut in business rates for hospitality and a cap on bus fares The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that UK inflation fell to 2.6% in June Oil prices fall sharply after reaching $100 for the first time since May due to a pause […]
Commercial Property Review – July 2026
Commercial market – as more organisations implement return-to-office mandates, office attendance levels increase Commercial assets – according to NAEA, investors may be shifting focus from residential to commercial assets Infrastructure – in the coming years attention will shift to improving existing buildings rather than developing new ones Office occupier market update The latest Commercial Market […]
News in Review
Andy Burnham officially became the leader of the Labour Party last Friday and outlined a series of key promises The government’s first major policy decision is for VAT to be removed from domestic energy bills from October Latest GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the UK economy returned to growth in […]
News in Review
The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures economic sentiment, fell from -53 in May to -61 in June The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has improved its growth forecast for the UK: to expand by 1.0% in 2026 Defence dominated as a key topic last week’s Nato Summit amid ongoing uncertainty over the war in […]