Keywords
Citation
(2006), "RICS Economic Brief", Structural Survey, Vol. 24 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2006.11024aab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
RICS Economic Brief
RICS Economic Brief
Keywords: Economy, UK, Property, Construction, Housing
The RICS Economic Brief for November/December 2005 includes the latest RICS news and analysis from commercial property, construction and residential sectors as well as the wider economy. The key highlights are: commercial property: stable in quarter three, but demand falling in the retail sector. Construction: RICS construction survey shows skills shortages falling sharply over the last 12 months as the economy slows, easing upwards pressure on costs and wages. Residential property: house prices slipped back in October though the pace of decline is the slowest in 14 months. Demand conditions have been helped by the 0.25 per cent interest rate cut in August. The economy is showing a modest upturn. RICS expects the rise in housing activity to be sustained. The Bank of England expects exports and business investment to increase in 2006 helping the economy to grow, despite weak consumer spending in the past year. However consumer spending is continuing to grow.