Good morning,
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged to reform the planning system as he laid out the party’s five key “missions” if it wins the next general election. Speaking in Manchester yesterday, Starmer said planning reform was vital to the UK’s economic success.
Rogue landlords are conning the government out of millions of pounds by fraudulently claiming the housing benefits of “ghost tenants”.
CBRE has hired Microsoft’s former chief environmental strategist, Robert Bernard, as its chief sustainability officer.
And Circle Property has sold its largest remaining asset and will delist from the London Stock Exchange.
Howdens is planning to open 200 depots across the UK as annual profit rose 50% on pre-pandemic figures.
Consumer confidence has risen to its highest level since last April (but it is still woefully low, at -38). No wonder retailers remain pessimistic.
And while the economic picture may be slowly improving, a Bank of England rate-setter has warned that interest rates will go up before they come down.
Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University is seeking a development partner for a 70-acre extension of its research and development hub.
Being suited and booted for the office is a thing of the past, unless you work in the property industry.
And finally, some tales of former housing secretaries… Robert Jenrick is facing a driving ban(£) after being caught travelling almost 30mph over the speed limit. He was heading back to one of his houses. Meanwhile, one of former environment secretary Michael Heseltine’s old houses is for sale (£). The 7,000 sq ft, Grade II listed town house on Chapel Street, Belgravia, has been lavishly renovated since Heseltine stood outside it in 1990 to announce he was running against Margaret Thatcher. It is on the market for £28m. Heseltine sold it in 2013 for £11.5m.
