A Quick Look at This Week's UK News

The Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World University Impact Rankings have been released, with Manchester University standing out. Meanwhile, Manchester has emerged as a hotspot for buy-to-let property investments in the UK, offering high rental yields. Parents adopting a "property-funded education" strategy can offset tuition fees and achieve asset appreciation, killing three birds with one stone.

This week in UK news:

Amid escalating global trade volatility, Britain continues to attract international capital allocation through its risk-resilient assets and balanced returns, reinforcing its position as a "global safe haven."

There is a structural shift in the UK housing market, with Zoopla data showing that monthly payments for home ownership are generally lower than rents, with a 24 per cent cost advantage in the North East of England. In London, monthly payments are 6 per cent lower, but high down payments of 30-40 per cent are a major barrier. The market is facing down payment pressures, stringent lending vetting and a shortage of housing supply, but there are significant long-term equity advantages to buying a home. It is advisable to prioritise cost-competitive areas and develop a phased plan to address supply and demand.