MHA: UK housing market remains sluggish as buyers wait and see
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MHA: UK housing market remains sluggish as buyers wait and see
13th July 2026The housing market has entered a holding phase. The long-term trajectory of interest rates remains unclear, leading many potential buyers to hold off on purchasing until the economic outlook becomes clearer. Prices are yet to pick up at any great rate this year, with the Halifax House Price recording only…
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Social media bans for under-16s – what is the real cost?
13th July 2026We teach children road safety. It seems preferable to forbidding them from crossing the road. Arguably, the same thought process should be applied to the banning of access to social media for UK under 16s. Restricting access does not necessarily build resilience. Although the instinct to protect young people from…
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MHA: Manufacturers need certainty as short-term uplift starts to fade
6th July 2026John Bryant, head of manufacturing at MHA, comments on today’s S&P Manufacturing PMI data: “June’s PMI figures show a manufacturing sector still growing, but with momentum feeling more fragile as the index fell to 52.5. The recent uplift appears to have been temporary, driven in part by customers stockpiling ahead…
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Business owners face increased HMRC reporting obligations
29th June 2026By Mark Yellowlees, director at MHA in Edinburgh Owner-managed businesses and company directors are being reminded that new HMRC reporting requirements apply from the 2025/26 tax year, increasing the amount of information that must be provided through Self Assessment tax returns. The changes apply from the 2025/26 tax year and…
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Starmer is gone and Burnham’s coronation seems imminent — how will the financial markets react?
23rd June 2026Emeritus Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm. The expectation of the Prime Minister’s resignation in recent days had already driven volatility in financial markets – a spike in bond yields and fall in sterling this morning shows that his resignation is only adding…
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UK government borrowing comes in above £20bn for second consecutive month
23rd June 2026Emeritus Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm. Public sector net borrowing came in at £23.3 billion in May, showing the continuing pressure on the UK’s public finances and the difficult choices that lie ahead for the government and the Treasury for the rest…
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No surprises as MPC Votes for ‘Wait-and-See’ – holding interest rates steady buys the Bank time
23rd June 2026Emeritus Professor Joe Nellis economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee to keep interest rates at 3.75% indicates increasing concern that although yesterday’s figures were flat there remain longer term inflationary fears in an environment where the UK economy struggles to…
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UK unemployment predicted to reach highest level since 2015
22nd June 2026The UK labour market is showing no signs of significant improvement as the unemployment rate dropped marginally to 4.9% for February to April 2026. The jobs market continues to lack momentum as the economy fails to get out of first gear. The number of vacancies dropped again by 19,000 between…
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Flat inflation number will bring relief to the Government, businesses and households
17th June 2026Emeritus Professor Joe Nellis is economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm Inflation staying flat was unexpected and will mean for sure no interest change tomorrow Inflation likely to edge higher over coming months driven by Ofgem energy price cap increase But Middle East peace hopes and domestic…
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Scottish manufacturers confident of growth despite market challenges, MHA survey finds
17th June 2026Scottish manufacturers are more confident about the year ahead than they were 12 months ago, with new research from MHA pointing to a sector that is continuing to invest despite rising operational pressures and an ongoing backdrop of global macro-economic uncertainty. The 2026 MHA Manufacturing & Engineering Report shows that…
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