MORNING NEWS: City investment, retail rents and valuations

In the news this morning, reports that the money that Asian buyers are spending on office blocks in the City of London has reached a record high according to research from Savills. And the FT has research from Colliers International showing that rents on even the best located shops have begun to fall across the UK outside London, with the pace of decline expected to accelerate in the wake of a spate of recent retailer failures. From EG, the latest Property Podcast asks if the future of valuations is virtual? NEWS ROUND-UP: McCarthy & Stone chief executive to retire Is the future of valuations virtual? Five ways to make buy-to-let work Labour abandons support for new Heathrow runway Owning a home cheaper than renting in every part of UK, study finds Labour to set Bank of England productivity target under radical proposals McCarthy & Stone boss is pensioned off as profits fall Fall in shop rents reflects UK high street distress Debenhams warning is new low point on high street The sky’s the limit for Asian property investors in London