Latest News
Right to Buy discount extended
March 2012
The government has confirmed the extension of the right to buy discount to up to £75,000 for social housing tenants.
People who have lived in a council house for five years, could receive a 35 per cent discount, with an extra one per cent for each added year up to the maximum of £75,000.
NewBuy Scheme launched
March 2012
The launch of this new government initiative will mean that both existing and first time buyers will be eligible to use a 95 per cent mortgage to purchase a new home.
The builders and the government will be the co guarantors of the scheme which is supported at the moment by Barclays, Nat West & Nationwide.
Stamp duty concession to end soon
March 2012
Unless the government decides to extend it – the concession which applies to first time buyers on Stamp Duty Land Tax will cease on the 24th of March.
It remains to be seen whether this will be extended to keep some momentum behind the housing sector, this does seem unlikely – but we all live in [...]
Increased qualifying period for Unfair Dismissal
March 2012
Subject to parliamentary approval the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase from one to two years. This is expected to come into force on the 6th of April 2012.
It will also increase the qualifying for entitlement to written reasons for dismissal, also from one year to two years.
The changes will not affect those employees [...]
Clarke announces delays to reforms
February 2012
The government has postponed the implementation of its legal aid reforms by six months.
In a written ministerial statement today, justice secretary Kenneth Clarke said the government will push back a consultation on crime tendering from late-2011 until autumn 2013, taking account of changes such as the advent of alternative business structures, [...]
Find a Buyer Quickly
January 2012
This is an extract of Graham Ireland’s response to a question in his regular Telegraph column.
The most important factor is price – start at a realistic level – remember its a buyer’s market – so ask for plenty of professional advice and ask for supporting evidence in support.
Make the property attractive – most buyers have [...]
David Cameron vows to ” get Britain building”
December 2011
Buyers of new homes will be able to to borrow up to 95% of their value as part of plans Cameron says will help get “Britain building again”.
The mortgage indemnity scheme, in which the government will underwrite part of the risk to lenders, could help up to 100,000 people in England. The proposal should enable [...]
Right to Buy discounts
November 2011
Right to buy discounts are to be increased in a bid to raise the scheme’s popularity and rejuvenate the housing stock, Prime Minister David Cameron has promised. Following Cameron’s announcement at the Conservative conference, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has pledged that for every council [...]
Major Investment Grant for Burnley Bridge Business Park
November 2011
Grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund has been confirmed for the 70 acre site adjacent to Junction 9 of the M65.
When completed the Business Park will be able to offer up to 650,000 sq ft of mixed use Commercial Buildings.
Boost to local economy with fast rail link go-ahead
November 2011
Over £8m. of Government money is coming to East Lancashire.
The long-awaited cash boost will bring a faster rail link between Burnley and Manchester with the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve length of track near Cliviger.
The news could lead to 1,000 new jobs being created over the next decade and boost the redevelopment on [...]