Inflation

The Pensions Policy Institute says research into commonly available equity release schemes shows consumers should not bank on their homes to bail them out of poverty in retirement because of the poor rates of return offered.

April inflation figures just published by the Office for National Statistics show rising oil prices have substantially impacted on prices in the UK.

New figures on the housing market from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister suggest annualised house price inflation fell sharply in March compared with the previous month.

Nationwide has issued a warning to borrowers not to overstretch in light of its latest house price index report, which shows the average house price to earning multiple is now 5.5x.

Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to give the Bank of England the green light to increase rates next week, despite the official inflation rate threatening to drop below the 1% level at which point the Bank must write to the Treasury explaining its policy...

The UK property market is heading for new highs as annual house price inflation hit its highest pace since October 2002, suggests lthe atest survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Is inflation rising or isn't it? The question highlights an increasing split between the government view of prices and what the Bank of England sees in relation to the ‘old' measure of inflation, the retail price index.

The average UK house burst through the £150,000 price level in March, thanks to monthly house price inflation of 2.2%, which took annualised inflation to 18.5%, Halifax says.

Property prices are seeing a resurgence and are now expected to rise an average 15% this year or at least 10% in the capital, suggests the latest house price update from Nationwide.

Gordon Brown may have outlined the case for growth in his Budget yesterday, but more evidence has been published today supporting the case for further interest rate rises, which could put the squeeze on consumer spending.