HOUSING: First-time buyers to be frozen out? - 2004-03-31
First-time buyers in Peterborough could be priced out of the property market after it was declared that house prices are expected to rise by 14 per cent in 2004.

Cllr Holdich, the cabinet member for housing, said: "We estimate that currently 90 per cent of council tenants earn less than £15,000 a year.
"This shows it's virtually impossible for people in council homes to get on the mortgage ladder."
Read the full story at The Evening Telegraph

Consumers not concerned about poor job market - 2004-03-31
Consumer confidence barely moved this month amid lingering worries about the job market, but economists said they still don't expect the evident caution to cool down spending over the next few months.

Tax refunds, low interest rates, which have spurred more mortgage refinancing, and other incentives have given consumers the extra cash to spend in the short term.
Read the full story at San Bernardino County Sun