In the year tojuly. Competition among renters is pushing the prices up with as many as 20 requests to view each available property, up from six in 2019. Data shows there was a 5. 5 increase in rents in london this was the sharpest increase in rent since 2006, and thats despite london being the only region where house prices had fallen. In scotland the average rent was up 5. 7 ina year. And there was an even bigger rise for tenants in wales up 6. 5 . Ben twomey, the chief executive of generation rent, hejoins me now from london. Thank you for coming on the programme. What do you make of those numbers . , ,. ,. , numbers . Sadly, its not a huge Surrise Numbers . Sadly, its not a huge surprise that numbers . Sadly, its not a huge surprise that we numbers . Sadly, its not a huge surprise that we are numbers . Sadly, its not a huge surprise that we are seeing numbers . Sadly, its not a huge| surprise that we are seeing rents going up. Forso surprise that we are seeing rents going up. For s
Plus a first look at tomorrows front pages. Good evening. Englands lionesses have thrilled and delighted fans at home and abroad by beating the hosts australia 3 1 in a keenly contested world cup semi final. Its the third consecutive time theyve been in the last four in the world cup and it now means they will face spain in the final on sunday. Todays match was full of drama and tension, leaving the audience wherever they were on a rollercoaster of emotions. Its tough being a fan. With a place in the final potentially 90 minutes away, the tension was deep and palpable. Despite a nervy opening, englands first goal sparked wild celebrations. Cheering. Both in australia and back home. But australias supporters knew their team werent going down without a fight. Cheering. And a goal in the second half restored hope to the home nation. England fans on Tenterhooks But then two more goals sealed englands place in sundays final against spain. Its coming home. Well, our Sports Editor dan roan is
And coming up in sport on bbc news, ben stokes will be part of englands world cup squad later this year after reversing his decision to retire from one day cricket. Good evening. Englands lionesses have made history by reaching the final of the womens world cup for the first time. They beatjoint hosts australia 3 1 in a thrilling match in sydney. Australia equalised midway through the second half after ella toone scored the first goal, but then goals from lauren hemp and Alessia Russo saw england through. They will now face spain in the World Cup Final on sunday. Our correspondent Shaimaa Khalil is in sydney. Face of both teams were quenching for that spot. In the final it of History Making Territory for both sides. The england fans were outnumbered. They knew that. Is the matildas supporters packed the stadium and the fans. But with every one of the lioness goals they grew louder and bolder and then it was heartbreakfor louder and bolder and then it was heartbreak for the hosts with e
10 15pm on the 13th Of August on sunday, those two men were standing outside the nightclub, in south london, they were approached police say by a man who attacked them with a knife before running away. Both men are in their 20s or 30s, they were taken to hospital for treatment and have since been discharged, there has been no officers, officers are following up leads, they are crucial in the Ongoing Investigation what they described as a homophobic attack of the two men. We will of course have more on that story as we get it but now lets go to tie and write for the business news. Lets start with china. Weve had some worrying data this week fuelling fears about the health today, Property Prices fell for the first time this year due to flagging demand house prices fell by 0. 1 injuly, compared with the same month last year. Going into reverse again for the First Time Since china began to emerge from its covid lockdown. 0n wednesday, on wednesday, Retail Sales Growth slowed to 2. 5 , a si
Persuasive rather than polarising . Kwame kwei armah, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you so much for having me. It is a great pleasure to have you. Now, youve been in the Theatre Business as an actor, a writer and a director for the best part of three decades. Ijust used that phrase, some would call it a cliche, about the culture wars. Does it feel to you that today there is a somewhat toxic culture war . I think youve framed it beautifully. It is toxic, but most importantly, its disingenuous. In my humble opinion. Its used to kind of create political fear. And ourjob as artists is, i think, fundamentally to take away that fear, to take away the binaries that i think this farce of the culture wars are. You know, i often hear politicians and im not one to diss politicians, but i also often hear politicians use race or class or immigration or use history as a Battering Ram to get themselves into the hearts of the populist. But those issues youve just outlined race, immigration they are centr