£100 billion “moonshot”?

The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary.

Giant leap

In the ‘60s, man went to the moon. In the roaring ‘20s, we’re just trying to avoid a second lockdown. The prime minister’s “Operation Moonshot” to process millions of rapid coronavirus tests each day could cost £100 billion, according to leaked memos. And experts say we don’t yet have the tech or the lab space to make it happen.

Feeling confident

Property surveyors are saying confidence in the housing market has hit a 4-year high. House prices are rising in all areas of the country except London, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Its monthly snapshot has reported its strongest reading since 2016.

Frozen funds thawing

The first investors have been allowed to make withdrawals* from frozen property funds. Withdrawals had been suspended since March, when lockdown meant that funds couldn’t properly value their assets. Updated guidance has paved the way for asset managers to reopen funds so people can access their cash again.

Solving climate change

To combat climate change fairly, we need to tax frequent flyers, phase out SUVs, and restrict cars in city centres. That’s according to the citizens’ assembly, a group of 108 members of the public who have spent weeks debating ideas to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. On the same wavelength, a government report has also just recommended adding £1,500 to the cost of new petrol and diesel cars in order to subsidise electric cars.