Track cutting

HOUSEHUNTERS in England and Northern Ireland looking to buy a home usually pay stamp duty on properties over £125,000. But it's £500,000 right now thanks to a stamp duty holiday - so what is stamp duty and how is it calculated? We run-down the rules for stamp duty in England and Northern Ireland, as rates differ for those buying homes in Scotland and Wales . What is stamp duty? Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is a lump sum payment most people have to pay when buying a property or land. How much buyers have to fork out varies depending on the price and type of property. A stamp duty holiday was introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic to get the property market moving again. It means there is no stamp duty for properties up to £500,000 until March 31, 2021. But chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to extend the stamp duty holiday by three months until the end of June. The usual stamp duty rates when there is not a holiday mean first-time buyers … [Read more...] about Stamp duty calculator: how much is it and when does the holiday end?

We spend 90% of our time in the buildings where we live and work, shop and conduct business, in the structures that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer. But immense energy is required to source and manufacture building materials, to power construction sites, to maintain and renew the built environment. In 2019, building operations and construction activities together accounted for 38% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, the highest level ever recorded. To ensure that the Paris climate targets are met, the building and construction industry needs to become a climate leader by moving towards net zero construction. Its CO2 emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 for building stock to be carbon free by 2050, according to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In response, a raft of new net zero building initiatives are focused on curbing emissions across the whole building lifecycle. DW looks at 5 key points in understanding the … [Read more...] about 5 things to know about carbon-free construction

THOUSANDS of pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and bingo halls across England are now open as lockdown measures are eased. July 4 marked the start of the phase three of Boris Johnson's plan to get the country back to some normality while also trying to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Brits can get haircut, watch a blockbuster film and go to church from this weekend as long as the businesses are Covid-19 secure. It means pubs and restaurants will be limited to table service , while hairdressers will have to wear visors as they work . Firms will also have to collect contact details from customers to help NHS Track and Trace to control the spread of the virus. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that unlocking the nation relies a lot on the "British public to use their common sense". And if the number of positive coronavirus cases look like they could be getting out of control, local lockdowns will be put in place, like in Leicester . But it won't … [Read more...] about Full list of businesses now open including pubs, hairdressers and cinemas

There’s not much that Holly Willoughby wears that we don’t want in our own wardrobe - and her latest outfit post was enough to even crash the brand’s website, after fans went into meltdown over the spring dress. Reuniting with Philip Schofield after a week off during Half Term, Holly graced our screens in a gorgeous £35 dress from Nobody’s Child that fans said she looked “beautiful” in when she also posted a picture wearing it on her Instagram . The good news is, it’s still in stock on Nobody’s Child’s website . Now if you sadly miss out, don't worry as both ASOS and Marks and Spencer are also selling the print, but in a different style dress. Both currently have 30% off, making the dresses just £24.50. Get ready to give your own wardrobe a smart-casual update in an instant wearing this Tessie Mini Shirt Dress . We love the mini length on Holly - it shows off her fantastic legs. The pale blue dress with black smudge dots is the perfect pop of colour your wardrobe … [Read more...] about Holly Willoughby looks “beautiful” in £35 dress on This Morning