Housing market slows in wake of Brexit

Brexit has had a negative effect on the housing market, according to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which has showed a significant slowdown in house price rises.

New buyer enquiries and home sales both fell over the three months to the end of July, with houses seeing price increases dropping to their lowest level in three years.

However, the survey suggests the slowdown may be short-lived – 23 percent of surveyors expect prices to rise in the next 12 months, although many expect the growth to be modest.

Muslim women at risk of “unconscious bias” from employers

Muslim women are more than three times likely to be unemployed and searching for a job than the rest of the female workforce, according to the Women and Equalities Committee.

MPs have urged the government to tackle this issue, which is apparently being seen by employers as one of the last forms of “acceptable” discrimination.

Unemployment in the Muslim community in general is more than double that of the population overall, at 12.8 percent. The Commons report call for further measures to be taken to prevent discrimination during employment procedures, including “name blind” applications.

Steinhoff increases Poundland offer

South African company Steinhoff has raised its bid for British chain Poundland, calling the revised offer “final”.

The new offer values Poundland at £610 million, over £10 million more than their previous offer. The deal comes as part of Steinhoff’s attempt to increase its exposure in Europe after an unsuccessful attempt to takeover Home Retail Group.

Poundland shares are currently down 0.89 percent at 222.00 (1010GMT).

11/08/2016