Rise in mortgage demand fuelled by appetite to buy homes with more space, and the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) holiday
There was a 22 per cent increase in first time buyer mortgages, and a 27 per cent increase in mortgages for people moving home in 2021 compared to 2020
The loan-to-income (LTI) ratio for all homebuyers hit its highest level in 2021
Demand for homes with more space during the pandemic helped drive a 24 per cent increase in new mortgages in Scotland in 2021. Figures from UK Finance show that there were 70,190 new mortgages approved during 2021, up from 56,450 in 2020.
The total overall new mortgage figure is made up of first-time buyer mortgages and homemover mortgages:
First-time buyer mortgages were up 22 per cent to 35,100 (2020: 28,740). This is also up from the pre-pandemic level of 32,630 in 2019.
Homemover mortgages were up 27 per cent to 35,090 (2020: 27,710). This is also up from the pre-pandemic level of 33,620 in 2019.
At the same time, the loan-to-income (LTI) ratio for homebuyers hit its highest level, reflecting the strong growth in house prices.
The LTI ratio is the number of times greater the amount a mortgage is compared to the total income of the borrower. For first-time buyers in Scotland this reached 3.24 in the final quarter of last year, while it was 2.97 for homemovers.
This is compared to an average LTI of 3.59 and 3.37 for first-time buyers and homemovers respectively across the whole of the UK.
Lee Hopley, Director of Economic Insight and Research, said: “Appetite to buy or move home was up last year with demand boosted from the LBTT holiday and changing housing needs from the pandemic.
“The increase last year follows suppressed activity in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, but it’s notable that homebuying numbers in 2021 also exceeded those in 2019.
“We expect to see a return to a more stable mortgage market this year with continued appetite to buy property; however, the pressure on real incomes from rising inflation is likely to bear down on effective demand.”
The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, is launching its new Afternoon Tea offering just in time for Mother’s Day, with a complimentary Hotel Chocolat gift for all mums over the Mother’s Day weekend.
Spoil your loved one this March and take them to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store for an experience to remember. Taking place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March, Dobbies’ Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is perfectly suited for all those fantastic mother figures in Edinburgh.
The new Afternoon Tea features selection of sandwiches, dainty mini cakes and slices, freshly made plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, plus a pot of tea or coffee. Dobbies’ Mother’s Day experience can also be made vegan, and a tempting Children’s Afternoon Tea is also available so the whole family can get involved.
Customers looking to add a touch of sparkle can upgrade their experience with a 200ml bottle of prosecco for £6.35 per person.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager Sarah Murray said: “We’re really excited to be inviting our customers in to spoil all the mother figures in their lives this Mother’s Day. Our new Afternoon Tea offering in Edinburgh is perfect whether you want to celebrate with the whole family or just a party of two.
“Our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is set to be popular so we’d encourage customers to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.”
The new Afternoon Tea menu launches on 17 March, available in 66 stores. Adult Afternoon Tea starts at £13.50 per person, and the Children’s Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed for £7.50 per child. There is no additional cost for the special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea which takes place on 26 and 27 March only.
In response to the government’s review of the Human Rights Act, René Cassin, the Jewish voice for human rights, has brought together cross communal Jewish support for its call to protect the Act.
Twelve rabbis and 29 communal organisations and individuals have signed up to support René Cassin’s submission of 8 March 2022 to the Ministry of Justice consultation on Human Rights Act reform. The signatories are very concerned that the plans, put forward by Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, in December 2021, will reduce human rights and also access to those rights.
The Human Rights Act helps ordinary people in their everyday lives.
In relation to the right to freedom of religion, it has allowed people of faith to wear religious symbols to work and Muslims and Jews to bury their dead in line with their religious beliefs.
Other examples of those helped by the Act are an elderly couple able to stay together in the same care home and women seeking protection when fleeing domestic violence.
The law on same sex marriage came via the Human Rights Act as did the change in the police code that allows 17 year olds to be treated as children if they are arrested but not charged.
The Jewish community voices particular concern that the government proposals weaken human rights for minorities such as asylum seekers, offenders or foreigners.
Mia Hasenson-Gross, Executive Director of Rene Cassin, said: “Through our experience of the Holocaust, we know where targeting minorities can lead. We reject the framing of the Human Rights Act review, which pits undeserving people against the majority.
“As a minority community ourselves, the Jewish community stands with other minority groups, such as Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, asylum seekers and refugees, victims of modern slavery and disabled people in demanding equal human rights.
“Reducing the rights of minorities and vulnerable people reduces the rights of everyone.”
– Housebuilder supports 1,652 jobs, completes 732 new homes and 13.1ha of green space –
Barratt Developments Scotland, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has made a substantial contribution of £256.3m to the Scottish economy, with the housebuilder’s East Scotland division supplying £106.9m in GVA itself.
In the year ending 30 June 2021, Barratt East Scotland has also completed 732 new homes of which 144 were affordable and supported 1,652 direct, indirect and induced jobs across the region.
2021 also saw the largest UK housebuilder reinforce its commitment to creating homes for nature as well as people. The business created 13.1ha of public green spaces and private gardens around the region, the equivalent of 19 football pitches, to help support wildlife on and around its sites.
Barratt is working towards reducing its direct carbon emissions by 29% by 2025 and indirect emissions by 24% per square metre by 2030. In the past year, CO2e emissions per 100m.sq. of completed build area fell to 2.25t. across the East Scotland business.
98% of construction waste was also saved from landfill and 26% of new homes were built on previously developed land, up 54% on the previous year.
Alison Condie, managing director for Barratt East Scotland, said:“As the UK’s largest housebuilder, and one of the most sustainable, we place considerable emphasis on supporting people, the environment and generating strong economic growth for the region.
“To have contributed over £106m to the economy and supported over 1,652 jobs is a fantastic achievement and we’re determined to do even better this year.”
As part of its housebuilding activity, Barratt East Scotland has made £5.4m in local contributions to help build new facilities and community infrastructure. This contribution includes the provision of 320 new school places.
More than £19.3m has also been spent on physical works within communities, such as highways, environmental improvements and community facilities.
Other key findings from the Barratt East Scotland 2021 socio-economic report include:
· Increased support for public services with £23.9m in generated tax revenues
· Over £36,400 donated to local charitable and community causes
· 284 supplier and 335 sub-contractor companies supported
· Increased support for the UK supply chain with 90% of all components centrally procured, assembled or manufactured in-country
· More than £10.7m in retail spending by new residents, helping support 114 retail and service-related jobs
The development of new and future talent remains a key priority for Barratt Developments Scotland and 53 graduates, apprentices and trainees launched their careers with the company in 2021, 15 from the East Scotland Division.
The assessment of Barratt Developments’ performance was carried out by independent consultants Lichfields, who analysed socio-economic impacts through the delivery chain for new housing based on Barratt datasets, published research and national statistics.
A FORMER Royal Artilleryman, who cycled 855 miles for Poppyscotland, has got back on his bike to launch the charity’s Sportive event.
Billy Morrison, 57, from Musselburgh, is urging cyclists of all ages and abilities to join the 7th annual cycling event throughout East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
He joined former comrade, Jack Regan, 54, from Tranent, to launch the Sportive, Poppyscotland’s biggest fundraiser outside of the Poppy Appeal. Returning after a two-year break, it has already raised more than £250,000 to support current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families across the country.
Around 1000 cyclists are expected to take part in the event on Sunday 25th September, sponsored by Fred. Olson Renewables.
Starting and finishing at Prestonpans Community Centre, three routes ranging from 45 to 102 miles will take in the stunning coastal road to North Berwick then loop round the East Lothian countryside. More adventurous riders will cycle over the Lammermuirs, dipping down to Chirnside and Duns in the Scottish Borders.
Billy, who served in the first Gulf War and Afghanistan and now works as a Tesco delivery driver, has already raised an incredible £10,000 for Poppyscotland as part of his 1921 Poppy Pledge.
He cycled the distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats around East Lothian and on a static bike in the Musselburgh Tesco store in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday last year.
He said: “I’d encourage cyclists of all ages and abilities to join in, get fit, and raise funds for a great cause. I’ve been very lucky myself, but I see this as a way to give back to former colleagues.
“Whenever I needed a bit of help, someone always stepped up for me. That’s something I’ll always recognise, and I want to make sure that everyone else who has served can get the help they need.”
Jack, who served alongside Billy in Iraq and recently retired as a Scottish Power linesman, added: “This is a fantastic day out, as well as a way to show our support to former servicemen and women and their families.
“Veterans can be very reluctant to ask for help, but we want to get the message out that it’s only a phone call away.”
Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, said: “We’re very excited that the Sportive is returning to East Lothian and the Borders after a two-year break. It’s always a sell-out event, so we are encouraging cyclists to sign up as soon as possible.
“We keep numbers low to avoid the need for road closures, and the intimate and friendly feel of the event is one of its attractions. The route takes in stunning coastal views and country roads, while the timed hill climb will challenge more experienced cyclists.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Fred. Olson Renewables for continuing to sponsor us this year. This means 100 per cent of the sign-up fee and any sponsorship raised will go directly to our work supporting Scotland’s Armed Forces community.
“We’ve already raised more than a quarter of a million pounds to provide vital welfare support to families across Scotland, from help with housing and employment to mental and physical health issues.”
The Sportive is an “open road” cycling event, meaning that no roads will be closed in order to minimise disruption to the public.
Participants on e-bikes and tandems are welcome to take part, while riders can have a free place if they are supporting a cyclist with a disability.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is today warning customers not to share sensitive personal information online to avoid their identities being used to commit tax fraud.
HMRC is aware that criminals are attempting to obtain customers’ Government Gateway logins and other personal details, enabling them to register for Income Tax Self Assessment and submit bogus tax refund claims before pocketing the repayment.
Individuals, ranging from teenagers to pensioners, are being targeted on social media platforms by fraudsters seeking to ‘borrow’ their identities. In return, the individual is promised a cut of the tax refund ‘risk-free’.
Handing over sensitive personal information to criminals like this, even inadvertently, risks individuals involving themselves in tax fraud, and having to pay back the full value of the fraudulent claim.
Customers should therefore only deal with HMRC directly or through their tax advisor in relation to their Self Assessment tax refunds.
Simon Cubitt, Head of Cybercrime, HMRC said: “People need to think extremely carefully before they involve themselves in an arrangement like this, because if something looks too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.
“Those who get involved risk becoming the victim of blackmail, threats of violence and wider abuse of their personal information, as criminals seek to exploit them further.
“I urge anyone who may be aware of these dishonest attempts to recruit individuals into criminality, to report it us by searching ‘Report Fraud HMRC’ on GOV.UK and completing our online form.”
In addition to their Government Gateway credentials, customers may also be asked to provide details of their bank account, passport, driving licence, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number.
HMRC is working with other law enforcement agencies and social media companies to tackle criminality on online platforms.
Last month (10 February), HMRC made coordinated arrests of four individuals aged between 16 and 33 in Hertfordshire, Bristol, Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire as part of an investigation into suspected Self Assessment repayment fraud and money laundering offences. Investigations are ongoing.
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms are being asked to contact their GP instead of NHS 24 from the end of March.
The move comes after a fall in the number of people using the service since the end of December and represents a return to pre-pandemic procedures.
Currently callers to the 111 helpline are assessed and, if necessary, transferred to a local community hub staffed by clinicians from across the healthcare system.
From 31 March patients will be asked to contact their GP in the first instance during the working day, as they already do for other respiratory conditions. If help and advice is required out of hours, 111 should still be called. NHS Inform’s coronavirus webpage remains the fastest way for people to obtain the latest health advice and information.
Several boards have continued using GP practices as the first port of call for Covid-related calls during the pandemic, including Dumfries and Galloway and Tayside. It is now considered appropriate to return to this approach nationwide.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This move represents another welcome step back towards normality.
“Call numbers and the number of serious cases are falling and the tailored arrangements put in place at the height of the pandemic are no longer required. But we remain on alert and should a more serious variant of the virus emerge the service can, and will, be swiftly restored.
“We are continuing to support GP practices as they manage acute COVID cases. The GP Escalation Framework remains in place to help health boards and practices deal with sustainability issues and we will invest £15 million this year in sustainability payments”.
NHS 24’s Director of Service Delivery, Steph Phillips said: “NHS 24 staff have provided an excellent service to the people of Scotland throughout the pandemic, both over the phone and online.
“We will continue to update the information and symptom checker on NHS inform and encourage people to use this resource.”
‘Welcome step back to normality’?Covid’s far from over – 11,685 new cases were reported in Scotland yesterday – with 19 deaths.
The recommendations of the independent report on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland have been welcomed in principle by the First Minister.
In a parliamentary statement to mark International Women’s Day 2022, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the report highlighted ways in which the law was currently failing women and girls, and it gave powerful voice to the stark reality of the misogyny faced by women in everyday life.
The First Minister thanked Baroness Kennedy and the working group for producing the report and said Ministers would respond formally as soon as possible, after giving full consideration to the recommendations.
In a statement that reflected on the historic roots of misogyny, the First Minister also made a formal apology to all those accused, convicted, vilified or executed under the Witchcraft Act 1563, on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The First Minister highlighted that while the Witchcraft Act had been consigned to history in Scotland, it was not yet a historic issue in some parts of the world where, even today, women and girls face persecution and death because they have been accused of witchcraft. She said deep misogyny that motivated it could still be seen today in Scotland in everyday harassment, online rape threats and sexual violence.
The First Minister said: “While here in Scotland the Witchcraft Act may have been consigned to history a long time ago, the deep misogyny that motivated it has not. Today it expresses itself, not in claims of witchcraft, but in everyday harassment, online rape threats and sexual violence.
“It is no longer acceptable to expect women and girls to adapt and accommodate. It is time to challenge unacceptable male behaviour, and better protect women from it. We must change for good the culture of misogyny that has normalised such behaviour for far too long.
“It is of course in this context, that Baroness Helena Kennedy’s Working Group on Misogyny has this morning published its ground-breaking report.
“Its recommendations are bold and they are far reaching. However, this report, in my view, matters beyond the detail of the specific recommendations it makes. It matters because it acknowledges and it gives powerful voice to the stark realities of everyday life for women.
“It recognises that misogyny is endemic, and that it blights the lives of women every single day. It also recognises the power of the law to drive social and cultural change, and concedes that for women and girls, our law is currently failing.
“Perhaps most importantly of all, it articulates a fundamental truth that on this International Women’s Day, we must all reflect on – a society in which women do not feel safe is not one in which we can ever be truly equal.”
Earlier yesterday Justice Secretary Keith Brown welcomed the publication of Baroness Helena Kennedy QC’s report on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland.
Mr Brown thanked Baroness Kennedy for her exemplary efforts and said the recommendations will now be closely considered.
The Working Group was set up to independently consider how the Scottish criminal justice system deals with misogyny.
This included examining whether there are gaps in the law that could be addressed by a specific criminal offence to tackle such behaviour.
The group gathered oral and written evidence from a number of experts and stakeholders and from people with lived experience to determine what more we can do to deal with misogynistic conduct.
Mr Brown will now consider its recommendations of creating a Misogyny Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act containing a public misogynistic harassment offence; an offence of stirring up hatred against women and girls; an offence of issuing threats of, or invoking, rape or sexual assault or disfigurement of women and girls and a new statutory aggravation of misogyny.
Mr Brown said: “I would like to thank Baroness Kennedy for the hard work she and her working group have undertaken in the development of this report.
“This is an extremely important piece of work to help inform policy to address the many forms of violence, transgression and abuse experienced by women which may emanate from misogyny and is a milestone in making our society safe, equal and fair.
“It is clear to me that to achieve true equality we must continue to think about our messaging and how men’s attitudes to women can be effectively challenged to make women feel safe when going about their everyday lives.
“We welcome the Working Group’s report on its findings and recommendations and will now carefully consider those before publishing our response in due course.
“We are absolutely clear that women and girls should not experience any form of harassment, abuse or violence which is why we set up this independent Working Group and it is fitting its findings were published on International Women’s Day.”
Wednesday 9th March marks National No Smoking Day in the UK.
Nicotine drives up blood pressure and heart rate, putting immediate and long-term strain on your heart and arteries. The carbon monoxide in cigarettes means less life-giving oxygen for all your tissues, including your heart.
This is harmful to your health and can reduce your life expectancy whether you smoke a lot or a little.
If you would like to add more healthy years to your life, then why not look through our tips on how to quit smoking today.
Find YOUR Incentive
Most smokers know that smoking is bad for their health, but it can be incredibly difficult to quit.
Hard-hitting warnings are proven to help smokers ditch the habit. Whether it’s a shocking image on a cigarette packet, a hole in your wallet, or a noticeable decline in your fitness, try to stay focused on the reasons why you want to quit to keep yourself motivated.
Seek Support
Getting support to stop smoking can increase your chances of success. You could try contacting your local Stop Smoking Services or chatting to your GP. You could also seek advice from a friend or family member who has successfully stopped smoking.
Tackle the cravings
Cigarette cravings are intense urges to smoke and they can last for 5 minutes. Quitting smoking requires a huge amount of willpower. When you get a craving, try to distract yourself for 5-10 minutes until it passes.
You could try planning a healthy dinner or plan a route for a walk. Once the craving has passed, give yourself a pat on the back!
Whatever your reason for wanting to stop smoking, make a plan that works for you and remember that help is available. If you don’t succeed on your first attempt to quit, keep trying! Good luck!
To mark International Women’s Day 2022 we’re inviting residents and students from selected high schools, to help us create a brand-new mural for Central Library.
The mural will display portraits of an array of influential Edinburgh women, past and present. Inspired by a similar project that has been running in America since 2016 called ‘Work in Progress’, we’ll display the finished mural as part of an exhibition in the Central Library.
We’d like to invite you to get involved in creating the stencils of the nominated figures. Please join us at one of the three stencilling workshops at Central Library on 12, 19 and 26 March.
To kick off the celebration and project, we’ve got a very special discussion with local author Sara Sheridan, who talks about her favourite trailblazing Edinburgh women.
Sign up to our blog, Tales of One City, to watch the video:
