Office for National Statistics reports an unrevised 0.3% GDP growth for Q2 2025. Real household disposable income per head increased by 0.2% in Q2 following a fall of 0.9% in Q1.

According to the Institute of Directors (IoD), optimism among business leaders fell to a score of -74 last month, its lowest level in a decade.

The government has released its list of 12 new towns with sites at Leeds South Bank, Enfield Crews Hill, and Tempsford in Bedfordshire (Oxbridge Arc) to be given priority. Each of the shortlist of 12 should be capable of delivering up to 10,000 homes.

The Broadway shopping centre in Bradford is being sold by the receivers, seeking £74.23m or a net initial yield of 9.5%.

M&G Real Estate-backed BauMont Real Estate Capital Limited has acquired Ropemaker Court student accommodation site in Manchester for £42m in partnership with Spinnaker Estates.

Watkin Jones Group has sold The Ard, a c.784-bed PBSA scheme in Glasgow, to a newly created JV between the company and Maslow Capital. It has a projected GDV of c.£182m at completion.

Redevco has launched its European Retail Parks Fund backed by a €500m commitment from CBRE Investment Management.

Royal London Asset Management Property has launched a £1bn healthcare REIT.

MRP Investment & Development has secured a £58m development loan from Puma Property Finance for its 432-bed Broadway Studios student accommodation scheme in Glasgow.

The government’s proposal to increase business rates on retail properties valued at >£500,000 from April 2026 is likely to be scaled back.

Bain & Company reports that companies are moving away from publicising ESG and sustainability pledges, but they continue to commit quietly. It isn’t about “doing good” or “being green”, but about sustaining long-term profitability, resilience, and business continuity. “Accelerate what works. Anticipate what’s coming. Build strength and flexibility.”

Mark Charlton – Real Estate Research Consultant at Waypoint