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September’s growth rate marks the weakest annual pace since December 2025 and is attributed to the ongoing economic uncertainty The number of sub-5% fixed mortgage deals fell by 99% in September, with average fixed mortgage rates reaching their highest level in 3 years “Businesses across the UK are telling us they see opportunities to grow… […]

Budget 2026 – planning ahead, not predicting

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is now preparing its economic and fiscal forecasts, while speculation grows The Chancellor said the Budget will be built on “fiscal discipline” to give businesses and families greater stability The most useful approach is to look beyond the headlines and not to get swept away with speculation It’s that […]

A more cautious housing market

Higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty continue to weigh as mortgage rates remain unpredictable Lloyds’ House Price Index showed the average UK property price was just 0.1% higher than a year earlier The autumn market is likely to remain price-sensitive, with affordability continuing to influence decisions As we move into autumn, the UK housing market […]

Economic Review – September 2026

The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 3.75% in September but warned of potential rates rise The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects global GDP to grow by 2.9% in 2026 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported public sector borrowing of £18.3bn, £2.9bn more than a year earlier Interest rates […]

News in Review

To raise funds for the UK’s National Care Services, the triple lock will be adjusted from April 2030, rising every year by inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher The latest OECD outlook has projected a rise in global GDP for 2026 and forecasts the UK economy will grow by 1.1% The head of the International […]

Start early, save smarter

Research highlights a crucial truth – delaying pension contributions can be far more expensive than most people realise Analysis shows that starting to save earlier in life can significantly reduce the required contributions Even small, consistent contributions early on can outperform larger amounts contributed later Whilst many younger adults are proactive on pensions, saving for […]

News in Review

In its MPC summary, the Bank of England said it expects inflation to rise further in the coming months In the US, the Federal Reserve is also working to slow inflation, resulting in the first rate increase since 2023 The Chancellor has sought entry to the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ programme, protecting industries from unfair […]

Residential Property Review –September 2026

Residential Market Survey – the housing market is stabilising further with buyer demand and agreed sales showing improvement Mortgage rates – In July, mortgage approvals were 16% below the 2017-19 average and the lowest level since December 2023 Rental market – In Q1 2026, the average UK landlord portfolio generated £88,454 in gross rental income, […]

Commercial Property Review – September 2026

Commercial property update – London captured the largest regional share of investment by the end of August Industrial and logistics sector – Demand in the sector still being driven by ecommerce growth and supply chain resilience Scottish market – French investors are particularly active in Aberdeen, according to research from Knight Frank Commercial property market […]

News in Review

The UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.4% in the three months to July, according to the latest data from ONS Brent crude and US oil rose above $100, with both benchmarks reaching their highest prices since May Mayors and local leaders in England will be given new powers to charge a levy on overnight stays […]