House prices still rising?

The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.

Sellers asking for more

Asking price growth was already accelerating, even before the stamp duty holiday was extended, according to Rightmove. The property site says asking prices went up 0.8% in the 4 weeks to 6th March, higher than the 0.5% in the previous 4 weeks. The number of people enquiring about each property hit a new record at the same time.

17,500 closures

Shops, restaurants and other hospitality venues closed at a rate of 48 per day last year as the impact of the pandemic continues to hit. 2020 saw 17,500 outlets disappear from high streets, shopping centres, and retail parks across the country. Non-essential retail will reopen on 12th April - but our towns and cities could look very different.

Business feeling buoyant

Business confidence has hit a 3-year high as the vaccine rollout continues. That’s according to the global business outlook survey by IHS Markit. Firms are hopeful that restrictions could soon be lifted, and are planning to start investing and hiring again, with hiring optimism at its highest level since 2015.

Pub plans “irrational”?

Big names in hospitality have threatened to sue the government for letting non-essential retail open 5 weeks ahead of pubs and restaurants. Indoor hospitality is set to resume on 17th May. Pizza Express investor Hugh Osmond and adviser Sacha Lord called the plans “irrational” in a letter to the prime minister. The government has defended its timelines, saying the lockdown easing must be cautious.