Sector still safe as houses - 2004-02-06
Britain's house-builders have enjoyed a strong year, piling up record sales and profits. Amid a backdrop of double-digit house price inflation and historically-low borrowing costs, industry veterans such as Barratt and Wimpey have been among the best performing stocks of 2003.

The UK economy is expected to grow more rapidly in 2004 than during the past three years, which should stimulate more increases in employment, therefore further underpinning the most fundamental pillar supporting the housing market, Britain’s biggest mortgage lender argues.
Read the full story at Edinburgh Evening News

Experts expect another rate hike by spring - 2004-02-06
The Bank of England is likely to hike interest rates again by May, at the latest, according to a recent poll of economists.

A further quarter-point rise would take the UK’s basic rate of borrowing to 4.25 per cent, with average mortgage rates some 1.25 percentage points higher.

Seven economists gave answers ranging from the second quarter of this year to 2006, and two did not answer the question.
Read the full story at Edinburgh Evening News