ESPC predicts strong 2026 property market fuelled by falling interest rates and pent-up demand

ESPC predicts strong 2026 property market fuelled by falling interest rates and pent-up demand

ESPC, the leading property portal for Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and the Scottish Borders, is forecasting a robust 2026 for the property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries & Galloway, with falling interest rates and improved affordability set to drive activity throughout the year. Following…

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How to keep political and social discussions professional in your workplace

How an expert HR consultant can help maintain a respectful workplace. Political and social topics can easily come in workplace conversations, and when they do, they can quickly create tension and distraction. As an HR consultant, I’ve seen how easily these discussions can escalate – and how preventable that can…

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A subdued Christmas for retailers as consumers tighten their belts

Rajeev Shaunak, head of consumer at MHA, comments on today’s ONS retail statistics: “Retail sales remained flat this November, after a weak October, indicating that the much-anticipated Black Friday week rush failed to materialise for retailers. As the festive season approaches, many on the High Street will be hoping for a further…

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High public borrowing maintains pressure on a Chancellor boxed in by the market and her own decisions

Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm. UK public sector net borrowing totalled around £11.65 billion in November, underlining the continued pressure on the public finances as the economy approaches 2026. While the figure was broadly in line with expectations, and lower than previous months…

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ESPC respond to Bank of England announcement of interest rate drop

Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, comments: “Bringing the Bank Rate down to 3.75% provides welcome relief for households and a clearer path for the market. For many first-time buyers, today’s decision narrows the affordability gap and should make monthly repayments more manageable. For movers, improved affordability – combined with greater certainty on…

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Christmas comes early for the Government as Bank of England ends 2026 with cut

Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm. Rate reduction provides relief for the government and households. Weaker sterling boost to exports. 2026 could see further cuts in cost of borrowing and a much-needed uptick in business confidence. The Bank of England’s decision to reduce…

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Opt-out group proceedings: significant changes ahead for Scotland?

By Craig Watt and Graeme MacLeod, Brodies LLP Scotland could be on the brink of a major legal shift that businesses cannot afford to ignore. The Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) is considering introducing an opt-out system for group proceedings, a move that would make collective claims easier to pursue…

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How to handle a client complaint about a member of your team

How an expert HR consultant helps businesses handle client complaints fairly. Even the best teams face client complaints from time to time. What matters most is how you respond. A calm, consistent process helps protect your reputation, maintain trust, and keep team morale intact. As an HR consultant in Edinburgh,…

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Why it’s time to rethink the paternity leave model in the UK

By Steven Eckett, Head of Employment for England at Gilson Gray The UK has made significant progress in recognising the importance of family-friendly workplace policies in recent years, and there is a growing awareness among employers about the need to support working parents and to implement them as day one…

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Falling inflation makes a cut to interest rates certain

Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm Inflation in the UK dropped to 3.2% in November, providing a clear indication that the intense price pressures of the recent inflationary cycle are continuing to ease, and making it almost certain that the Bank of England…

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