Docklands News

The Adam Smith Institute (ASI) has called on the government to use local development orders to expedite housebuilding and tackle the housing crisis. Henry Hill, the report's author, emphasised that these orders could facilitate the rapid creation of new homes, particularly in the grey belt areas. He argued: “Our systematic failure to build enough houses in this country has been a national disaster.” The report highlights the challenges posed by the current planning system, which has hindered local councils from meeting housing demands. Maxwell Marlow, ASI's research director, argued that the nationalisation of the planning system has been detrimental, suggesting that development orders could help “cut through red tape” and enable quicker construction of necessary homes and infrastructure. 

City AM (15/11/2024)  

Obtaining a mortgage as a self-employed individual can be challenging due to extensive paperwork and the impact of creative accounting on reported income. Broker Mike Staton highlights the dilemma: "Many self-employed borrowers want to beat the tax man [sic] and the mortgage man [sic] at the same time but this is impossible." Experts recommend maintaining clear financial records and preparing documentation for the past one to two years. David Stirling from Mint Mortgages advises that strong, consistent accounts are crucial for a successful application. Different lenders have varying criteria, with smaller lenders often more accommodating. Jack Tutton from SJ Mortgages notes improvements in the process, as some lenders now seek accountant references to verify accounts, enhancing success rates. However, caution is advised against brokers who may overstate their expertise in self-employed mortgages. 

Sky News (16/11/2024)  

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that annual house price growth in the UK accelerated to 2.9% in September, with the average property value reaching £292,000. However, the rise in inflation to 2.3% in October has raised concerns among mortgage borrowers. David Hollingworth, associate director at L&C Mortgages, stated that the inflation increase could “bring further headaches for mortgage borrowers”, as it diminishes the likelihood of a base rate cut by the Bank of England. Alice Haine, a personal finance analyst at Bestinvest, noted that homeowners and first-time buyers may feel disheartened by the inflation reading, which complicates the mortgage landscape. The average cost pf a London home fell 0.5% to £526,000.

The Standard (20/11/2024)  

London is facing its most challenging housebuilding environment since the 2008 financial crisis, according to Mayor Sadiq Khan. In a recent speech, he highlighted that only 2,358 affordable homes were started with City Hall funding in 2023-24, the lowest since he took office. Khan attributed this decline to high mortgage interest rates, rising construction costs, and the lingering effects of Brexit. The Mayor said: “The truth is, we're in the midst of the most difficult period for housebuilding in the capital since the global financial crash of 2008.” Despite a target of starting between 23,900 and 27,100 affordable homes by March 2026, only 1,777 homes had been initiated by March. The London Assembly's housing monitor indicates that nearly 43,000 affordable homes are needed annually until 2041 to meet demand. Fiona Fletcher-Smith, chair of the G15 group, emphasised the urgent need for innovative funding solutions to address the crisis. 

The Standard (11/11/2024)  

The National House Building Council (NHBC) reported a significant 40% increase in new home registrations in the third quarter of 2024, with 28,724 homes registered compared to 20,449 in the same period last year. Steve Wood, chief executive at NHBC, commented: “Our latest quarter's figures show that new home registrations are holding steady with some signs of increased activity on site and an emerging mood of cautious optimism amongst house builders.” However, he emphasised the need for a further uplift to meet the government's target of 1.5m new homes, which relies on easing interest rates and boosting consumer confidence. While private sector registrations rose by 58%, the rental and affordable sector saw only a modest 12% increase. The NHBC's figures also revealed a 9% decline in completed homes, with 27,868 new homes finished in the same quarter. 

Daily Mail (13/11/2024)   The Independent (13/11/2024)   The Mirror (13/11/2024)   The Standard (13/11/2024)  

Recent changes in interest rates and swap rates have led to major lenders, including Nationwide Building Society, HSBC UK, and Santander, increasing their mortgage rates. Nationwide announced that selected two, three, and five-year fixed-rate deals will rise by up to 0.20 percentage points, reflecting the current swap rate environment. A spokesperson from Nationwide stated: “The changes we're making on our fixed-rate range are reflective of that and the rate changes happening across the market.” 

The Independent (12/11/2024)   The Standard (12/11/2024)   The Sun (12/11/2024)   The Times (12/11/2024)