Car Insurers Debate Over Future Profits

UK car insurers have been running an unprofitable business for 14 years. Independent market analysts, Datamonitor, say 2009 looks to be a profitable year despite the doubts

March 13, 2008

Budget Report Expectations

Chancellor Darling's Budget Report is expected to raise taxes on alcohol, fuel emissions, flights and many other issues concerning the economy. Tax burdens expected to increase on poorer families

March 12, 2008

Card Fraud Rises Again

Card fraud has increased over past year. Whilst chip and PIN technology has been successful in the UK, criminal activity overseas has increased 77 per cent

March 12, 2008

Tax Cuts Needed To Restore Confidence

Appeals for corporate tax cuts are submitted to the Treasury as it prepares its Budget report this Wednesday. Business and banking sectors are worried about the direction of the UK economy

March 10, 2008

First Time Buyers Take Hit From Stamp Duty

Stamp duty tax has not kept up with the rate of increase in house price inflation over the past decade. Yet another hurdle first-time buyers must leap over to get on the property ladder

March 10, 2008

Read all Finance News

Interest Rate Cuts Lift Financial Pressure On Property Investors

According to a study carried out by Property for Life's monthly index tracker, the two recent cuts in the Bank of England's base rate have in fact reduced the financial pressure many property investors were under.

Of the 8,000 investors questioned in the study, 80% claimed that now was a good time to invest in the property market. They also stated that confidence, in general, was rising as investors were no longer feeling the pinch of the interest rates.

Managing director of Property for Life, Mr David Austin said:

"Having waited several months for some respite, the two drops in the base rate are finally being passed from lenders to investors, demonstrated by the large reduction in those claiming to feel a pinch on their finances.

"The position of buy-to-let investors has been bolstered by those with high capital deposits, allowing them to take low loan to value mortgages and making them a safer bet for lenders than other borrowers. The high level of confidence in the market is important and is likely to be long lasting if we see another base rate cut in the next few months."

Figures published in the report suggested that over two thirds of investors expect to see house prices remain the same over the coming year.

Mr Austin added, "The fact that investors believe that house prices will remain more or less stable this year is encouraging. Far from being concerned about a slower market, investors are keen to buy while prices remain at their current level."

In addition, data produced last week by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that the buy-to-let sector is on the up and looks set to be the supporting factor behind the property market this year.

Published on March 3, 2008

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Lending Falls Again Says CML

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10 Tips To Improve Your Credit

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Interest Rates Kept At 5.25%

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March 7, 2008

20 Per Cent Of Homeowners Fear Repayments

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March 6, 2008