In his Spring Statement, Phillip Hammond revealed that 60,000 first time buyers have benefited from the stamp duty exemption announced as part of the Government’s Autumn Budget.

Under the new rules, first time buyers purchasing homes under the value of £300,000 are exempt from paying stamp duty and, those who are purchasing in London and other expensive areas, will not pay tax on the first £300,000 of their purchase on properties up to the value of £500,000.

Figures reported by Halifax in January of this year, echo the Chancellor’s Spring Statement showing a 6% annual increaseon the number of first time buyers making a purchase – meaning the number of first time buyers has reached a ten year high! Back in November, the Government predicted that the change to stamp duty would benefit up to 95% of first time buyers and, if these early stats are anything to go by, it is clear that it has already had a positive impact on the housing market.

Managing Sales Director at Romans, Antony Gibson comments: “The change to stamp duty was great news for first time buyers who are now able to divert these funds to their deposit or, bring their purchase dates forward.

“Low mortgage rates, high employment and Help to Buy have all supported young people in getting on the ladder and so, I expect the trend for rising numbers of first time buyers to continue through 2018 and beyond.

“First time buyers are incredibly important to the overall housing market as they allow existing owners to sell up and take their second step. Despite a lack of supply, the fact first time buyers are increasing in number is extremely positive.”

Latest research from global real estate advisor, Colliers International, reveals that even in the face of continued economic uncertainty and the woes of Brexit, Central London remains a prime destination for international brands and interest is still growing, as currently, over 50 per cent of stores on core shopping streets are international brands and 30 new retailers have arrived in the last year alone.

In addition, demand from Chinese shoppers shows no sign of waning with average spend up 30 per cent (YTD) to £1,663*.

Paul Souber, Head of Central London Retail at Colliers International commented: “Following the Brexit vote, sterling devalued significantly, making London more attractive to tourists; particularly those from China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, who quickly began taking advantage of the ‘Brexit bargains’ on offer. Of these, Chinese tourists were the biggest contributor to international sales, accounting for 35% of tourist spend*.

“As a result of the currency-led tourist boom, many retailers noticed an escalation in shopper footfall and we initially saw a rise in the number of active requirements as a result. However, with shopping habits increasingly moving online and an uncertain UK economy slowing the rate of consumer spending, many retailers are feeling financially squeezed and are subsequently focusing more on controlling their overall occupational costs.

“The focus on the bottom line coincides with a recognition from brands that their bricks and mortar stores must be repurposed so that they seamlessly connect and enhance all parts of their retailing platform, be that online or instore.

“In practice this translates to retailers being more discerning over the number, size and location of physical stores and, in turn, these stores become more experiential and personalised.

“As consumers become more time challenged, it is essential that the locations they visit provide them with a convenience led menu of experiences, from great shopping to a huge array of dining and entertainment options, cultural experiences, health and fitness pursuits, relaxation and leisure, all easily interconnected and accessible by transport and digital infrastructure.

“London is naturally suited to meet these challenges as they are already being embraced and executed by the major landowners and stakeholders in the Capital who are curating, enhancing and future proofing the capital so that it remains the best city in the world.”

Children are invited to take part in this year’s Barnardo’s Big Toddle at one of the region’s favourite attractions.

Dudley Zoo will again be hosting the charity’s annual sponsored walk for under-5s.

The event, one of the biggest organised Toddles in the UK, is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday June 12 and 13.

Admission is £7.50 for adults and over-5s, but free for toddlers, and will include free refreshments and children’s entertainment afterwards.

A fun warm-up begins at 10.30am followed by the walk itself at 11am, with medals for all participants.

Last year’s nationwide Big Toddle raised more than £265,000 to support the charity’s work with vulnerable youngsters across the UK.

This year, for the second consecutive year, it is being run in partnership with the CBeebies TV show Teletubbies. The theme is ‘nature’, with opportunities to dress up as animals, insects or flowers.

Aside from the organised event at Dudley Zoo, parents, playgroups, childminders and nurseries can also organise their own sponsored walks throughout the summer.

They can also access exclusive nature-themed early years learning resources and downloads.

Barnardo’s regional director Hugh Sherriffe said: “We are sincerely grateful to Dudley Zoo for hosting one of the biggest Toddles in the UK, which attracts hundreds of people every year.

“The Big Toddle is a great opportunity for under-5s to have lots of fun with their friends and families while raising money to help disadvantaged children.

“The nature theme means they can be really imaginative with fancy-dress ideas and Barnardo’s has some great resources to help everyone taking part.”

Dudley Zoo marketing manager Andrea Hales said: “We are delighted to welcome back Barnardo’s Big Toddle to Dudley Zoo as we have a strong relationship with the event spanning 19 years.

“Everyone who takes part will be helping make a difference to children’s lives and have a wonderful day to remember at the zoo!”

Spectacular new images have today (Wednesday) been revealed at MIPIM in Cannes showcasing City of Wolverhampton’s Interchange Commercial District vision.

City of Wolverhampton Council, working in partnership with leading developers Ion, unveiled the ambitious plans during the World Class Developments hotspot at the global property forum.

The commercial district will deliver one million sq ft of grade A office space over strategic sites at the heart of an integrated regional road, rail and tram hub.

It follows on from the success of the award-winning i10 office development – home to major brands Countryside, Ovivo and Tarmac.

Works are also due to start on site later this year on the £12.3 million, eye-catching i9 building.

It will provide 50,000 sq ft of stunning grade A office space for a national or regional headquarters for a major business when completed in 2020.

The commercial district proposition has also been endorsed by the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE.

The strategic sites are Banana Yard, Cornhill, Steam Mill, Sack Works, i9, Broad Street Hub, and Urban Park.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Our vision for the City of Wolverhampton Interchange is rapidly becoming a reality.

“We now need to take advantage of having state-of-the-art facilities at the heart of the UK’s high-speed rail and motorway networks, with an international airport just 30 minutes away.

“Since i10 was completed we have seen increasing demand for quality office space in that location of the city, particularly from large space users.

“i9 will now follow, and developing a wider city-centre commercial district makes perfect sense to boost the city’s economic future.”

The Interchange project will make big strides in 2018 – providing an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram services.

The Midland Metro city centre extension will connect the tram directly to the front of a new railway station, allowing easy interchange between different modes of public transport.

Works on the demolition of the current station have started, and train services will remain fully operational while a new state-of-the-art railway station emerges adjacent to it by 2020.

All this will move the City of Wolverhampton towards a thriving commercial district at the heart of Wolverhampton Interchange - bringing further investment and jobs.

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Ion, added: "The commencement of works on the new railway station building is bringing into focus how well connected the new Commercial District at Wolverhampton Interchange will be.

“We are convinced that it will become a popular location for business."

Campaigners, entrepreneurs, and innovative industry experts are just a few of the 20 talented young people who have been shortlisted for the 2018 Commonwealth Youth Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding young people aged 15 to 29 whose innovative projects and programmes have had a significant impact on their communities. This year’s focus is on celebrating young people’s contribution towards a fairer, more sustainable, more secure and more prosperous future for the Commonwealth: the four sub-themes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place in London in April.

The 20 finalists span every region of the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. They were shortlisted from more than 400 applications from across the globe. The programme is being coordinated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Regional Young Persons of the Year will be selected, with one exceptional entrant being recognised as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year during the Commonwealth Youth Forum, in London in April.

In addition to a grant of GBP £1,000 to continue their development work, finalists will each be awarded a trophy and certificate. The Regional Young Persons of the Year will receive £3,000, and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will pick up £5,000.

The Pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel for the final shortlisting of the overall regional and overall winner of the 2018 awards , convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, , included the High Commissioner for Saint Kitts and Nevis, representatives from the High Commissions of Fiji, Malaysia, and Kenya, a trustee of the British Youth Council and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.

Last year’s Commonwealth Young Person of the Year was Krystle Reid, an advocate for empowerment of young persons living with disabilities in her native country Sri Lanka. Speaking about her experience of winning the award, she said, “It was a highlight of my life and a great opportunity and platform to further scale up the work of the Enable Lanka Foundation for an incubator space for young entrepreneurs with disabilities. This award will allow me to reach out to even more marginalised groups and communities. It is an opportunity no young person should miss.”

The finalists this year have initiatives and projects that aim to build a more secure, prosperous, fairer and a sustainable future for all in the grassroots levels and exemplify the outstanding contribution of young people from across the Commonwealth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realising the CHOGM2018 aspiration “Towards a Common Future”

MEMBERS of the public are being given the opportunity to have their name added to the wings of the iconic Vulcan XH558, as part of celebrations to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of XH558’s final RAF Flight in 1993.

In a fitting tribute to one of the RAF’s longest-serving aircraft, in the Centenary year of the RAF’s formation, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust has opened up this opportunity for the public to place any chosen name on a set of plaques that will commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of Vulcan XH558’s final flight with the RAF.

Dr Robert Pleming from Vulcan to the Sky Trust said: “Following her last RAF flight some people thought that they would never see Vulcan XH558 fly again. Fast-forward 14 years and after perhaps the most complex and demanding private aircraft restoration project ever completed – anywhere in the world, XH558 returned to the air once more in October 2007.

“The restoration allowed eight more years of incredible displays in front of millions of people, and a huge fan base developed a real love for XH558. She took to the sky for the last time on October 28 2015 for her final flight.”

As an icon of British aeronautical design excellence she is will spend her ground-running life as the centre-piece of an new inspirational Heritage Hangar which will be built at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“We’ve continued to be amazed by the generousity of people who want to see this historic aircraft preseved for future generations to see and the Trust is looking forward to her new home being built so that she can once again wow the crowds,” added Robert.

Support for the 25^th anniversary plaque will contribute to the Trust’s work to secure the new home for XH558

and to build a brighter future for heritage aircraft preservation, restoration and operation. XH558 will help provide inspiration for a whole new generation of engineering and technical talent by enthusing youngsters with the excitement of aviation.

Names will be added permanently to the underside of Vulcan XH558’s Wing and each dedication comes with a personalised certificate that acts as a commemorative receipt for the requested donation of £30.

“This is a great way to support XH558 and is an ideal gift or memoriam of a lost loved-one, having their name inscribed under the wing of this British Icon,” said Robert.

To secure a place on the plaque and to place your desired name on Vulcan XH558’s Wing visit www.vulcantothesky.org