News

Homebuyers in England face a wider selection of properties this spring, with the number of homes on the market reaching a decade-high, offering greater choice and curbing house price inflation. Despite missing the March stamp duty deadline, the market remains resilient, with agreed sales and new seller numbers exceeding last year's figures.

The UK construction sector is showing signs of a tentative rebound, with a marked increase in job vacancies reported by recruiters. This is a welcome development for an industry that has recently experienced sluggish growth, and it suggests that the sector may be among those leading the push towards a more stable recruitment landscape in the UK this year.

Americans are increasingly concerned about Donald Trump's aggressive tariff strategy, with 72% ranking it as a top concern, despite the White House's assurances of economic benefits. The escalating trade tensions have already prompted retaliatory measures from key trading partners, raising concerns about a potential slowdown in the US economy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is meeting with key regulatory bodies today to discuss ways to cut red tape and boost economic growth, despite criticism from Conservatives who accuse Labour of stifling business expansion through higher taxes. The OECD has revised its growth forecasts for the UK downwards, predicting 1.4% growth in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Monday, led by gains in energy shares, as investors digested mixed economic data and corporate earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 400 points, or 0.97%, to close at 41,888.57, while the S&P 500 rose 0.72% to 5,679.43 and the NASDAQ Composite Index climbed 0.33% to 17,812.14.