Our Weekly Newsletter
Across Instinctif Partners’ Financial Services team, we are always keeping an eye on the key developments taking place across the sector to evaluate their impact on the many businesses we work with. Here we share our picks of the week’s most interesting news, and our expert views.
Foreign investment deals to create 30,000 UK jobs
Foreign investment deals in low-carbon sectors in the UK will create 30,000 jobs, according to the government. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 18 new deals worth £9.7bn as he opened the Global Investment Summit, bringing together more than 200 business executives. They include investments in sectors such as wind and hydrogen energy, sustainable homes and carbon capture. (From BBC, 19th October 2021)
BoE governor doesn’t quell expectations of rate rise this year
The governor of the Bank of England has warned that it will have to act to curb inflationary pressure, making no attempt to contradict financial market moves that have priced in the first interest rate increase before the end of the year. Speaking to the G30 group of central bankers, Andrew Bailey said inflation in the UK had already risen and would rise further in ways that would warrant action to tame medium-term inflation. (From Financial Times, 17th October 2021)
£5,000 grants unveiled to support home heat pump installation
As part of the Government’s long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy announced this week, ministers have unveiled plans for £5,000 grants to allow people to install home heat pumps and other low-carbon boiler replacements. Details for the scheme include £450m committed towards grants to replace boilers, with a pledge that the fund will mean heat pumps should cost no more than boilers to install or run. The strategy also commits to funding totalling £3.9bn to decarbonise buildings and how they are heated. (From The Guardian, 18th October 2021)
Make your home greener to get a mortgage
Ministers in the UK are looking at plans to link mortgages with better home insulation. Home buyers will face having to improve the energy efficiency of their new properties under the terms of their mortgage. Mortgage lenders will need to therefore disclose the energy efficiency of homes they lend money for as well as setting targets to improve insulation where needed. This forms part of government plans to decarbonise Britain’s housing stock. (From The Times, 19th October 2021)
Autumn Budget 2021: how much will it cost you?
As the Chancellor prepares to announce his Budget next Wednesday, there have been reports of further tax changes to help the country “build back better” after coronavirus. Any tax changes would come on top of the £20bn freeze in the income tax allowances announced in the spring and the £36bn raid on incomes to fund the NHS announced last month. (From the Telegraph, 18th October 2021)