UK retail sales falter in 'meagre' October, but house prices climb – business live

All the day’s economic and financial news, including a worrying drop in non-food sales in the UK and the Halifax’s house price surveyLatest: John Lewis sales fell again last weekHalifax says house prices jumped by 4.5% in OctoberUK retail sales fell 1% in OctoberNon-food sales worst hitCould FTSE 100 hit a record high today? 1.57pm GMT Over in Greece finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos has reacted furiously to claims – issued by parliament’s state budget office no less – that the country faces economic collapse if its staggering debt load is not substantially reduced.“I am surprised at the use of invalid data and ensuing public relations stunt.” 12.41pm GMT I mentioned earlier that house price shortages were keeping UK prices up…….and bang on cue, online estate agents HouseSimple.com have confirmed that this is an issue.“The housing market is in desperate need of a prolonged period of supply growth rather than isolated months where seller numbers rise, only to fall back the following month.We probably won’t see numbers jump again this year, but steady levels in November and December would at least give the market a strong base going into the New Year, particularly with some heavy Brexit headwinds heading our way. Continue reading…
Via: UK retail sales falter in 'meagre' October, but house prices climb – business live