Docklands News

The Mail on Sunday contrives a "rotten banana" corridor in northeast London, where neighbourhoods rank poorly across crime, health, deprivation, and house prices. The belt runs from Enfield, Haringey, and Waltham Forest south through Hackney and Tower Hamlets, then northeast to Newham, Barking, Dagenham, and Havering. Haringey 016A, including parts of Wood Green, had the lowest combined score, with median house prices of £240,500, 71% of households experiencing some deprivation, high crime rates, and 9.4% of residents in poor health. Overall, these metrics highlight stark inequalities compared with the more affluent "London banana" stretching through the west.

The Mail on Sunday (14/09/2025)  

Mortgage bills hit £1,000 mark
The average monthly mortgage repayment in the UK has surpassed £1,000 for the first time, reaching £1,002.27 in August, up from under £950 a year ago and £680 five years ago. Despite the Bank of England cutting its base rate from 5.25% to 4% over the past year, homeowners face higher bills as pandemic-era cheap fixed-rate loans expire. New mortgages averaged 4.28% in July, more than double the 1.72% rate in July 2020, highlighting the pressure on family finances and the ongoing impact of previous rate hikes even as policymakers assess the effects of recent cuts. 

Daily Mail (13/09/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (13/09/2025)   The I (13/09/2025)  

House prices in the UK have reached a record high, according to Halifax, hitting an average of £299,331. Property prices were up by 0.3% month-on-month in August, marking the third consecutive month of increases. On an annual basis, prices were up 2.2% on August 2024. First-time buyer property values saw a slight decrease to £237,577, potentially linked to stamp duty adjustments. Regional performance is mixed, with Northern Ireland (8.1% annual growth) and Scotland (4.9%) leading, while the South West experienced a 0.8% price fall. London remains the most expensive market, with growth of 0.8% and an average property value of £541,615. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: "The story of the housing market in 2025 has been one of stability." She noted that since January, prices have risen by less than £600, "underlining how steady the market has been despite wider economic pressures." Halifax forecasts slow and steady price growth, citing improving affordability and lower interest rates, but notes that uncertainty over potential budget tax changes could affect the market. 

Daily Mail (06/09/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (06/09/2025)   The Guardian (06/09/2025)   The Standard (06/09/2025)  

Britain’s housing market has slowed sharply amid speculation that Rachel Reeves may scrap stamp duty and council tax in favour of an annual property tax. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) reported falling buyer inquiries, fewer agreed sales, and initial price declines, with East Anglia and southwest England hardest hit. Estate agents say negative media coverage is unsettling buyers and sellers alike, with new instructions also down. Overall, agents expect subdued activity until after November’s budget, though some forecast modest price recovery within a year. Affordability remains a challenge: just 12% of UK homes are priced under £150,000, with Croydon, Sunderland and Aberdeen among the few entry points for budget-conscious buyers. 

Daily Mail (11/09/2025)   The Standard (11/09/2025)   The Times (11/09/2025)  

New data shows a decline in housebuilding in several UK council areas, particularly in Greater London. Islington Council reported a 90.2% drop in newly completed homes. Other areas like Hounslow, Luton, Harlow, and Slough also faced significant reductions. The Independent says the trend poses a challenge to the Labour Party's goal of constructing 1.5m new homes by 2029. The Office for National Statistics revealed over 1m planning permissions remain unbuilt in England. The Housing Secretary's office attributed the crisis to the previous Conservative government's removal of mandatory housing targets, and aims to expedite development. 

The Independent (10/09/2025)  

Despite major obstacles such as rising house prices - which increased to an average of £271,079 in August - and mortgage payments that consume 44% of first-time buyers' salaries, Millennials and Gen Z remain strongly committed to homeownership. Research from fintech Revolut found more than 35% of Gen Z and 40% of Millennials consider property the most effective way to grow wealth. Older generations, by contrast, while holding significant mortgage-free property assets, are less likely to see homeownership as the sole route to financial security, favouring diversified strategies such as cash savings (25%) and stock market investments (24%). The research also shows Millennials are 20% more likely to hold their investments through market downturns, reflecting the importance of early and diversified investing, according to Revolut UK chief executive Yana Shkrebenkova. 

City AM (09/09/2025)