Recent reports suggest that Lucas Tse, the eldest son of actress Cecilia Cheung, has been admitted to the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge, drawing wide public attention. The glory of UK physics departments stands in sharp contrast with their current challenges: an admission rate of just 7.3%, a shrinking student population, insufficient research funding, growing financial pressure on universities, and course reductions. As a fundamental discipline, the future of physics requires stronger support and investment to sustain its innovation potential.

In H1, UK commercial real estate investment reached £23.9 billion, up 49% YoY. Global capital and institutional investors are heavily entering the market, with residential property favored for its stable demand and returns. Falling interest rates and improved financing have boosted market activity, and the investment momentum is expected to continue in H2.

This week’s UK headlines span monetary policy, fiscal plans, migration cooperation, new entrants to the auto market and housing-price dynamics. The Bank of England held the base rate at 4% as inflation remains above target; Labour is reported to be preparing roughly a £30 billion tax package for the Autumn Budget; the UK and France began a migrant-exchange scheme with initial repatriations; China’s Changan brought its Deepal and Avatr brands to the UK; and new research shows London buyers are paying a substantial “location premium” to live closer to stations. Together, these developments bear on borrowing costs, household finances and property demand.

The UK has faced a wave of major events this week: London witnessed large-scale protests over immigration, while the UK and US signed a £31 billion “Tech Prosperity Agreement” covering AI and quantum technologies. US financial institutions increased investment in the UK, housing prices dipped slightly with rent growth slowing, and new immigration data revealed net migration is falling sharply.

A new report by Oxford Economics highlights a growing housing supply-demand imbalance in the UK, particularly in London. With international student numbers rising and purpose-built student accommodation in short supply, rents continue to climb. For landlords, this represents not only stable rental demand but also long-term asset growth opportunities.