OUR clients expect price rises in all regions between the end of December 2003 and the end of June 2004: England and Wales 5.1 per cent, Greater London 5.9 per cent, the South East 2.8 per cent, the North 9 per cent, and Wales 7.1 per cent.
These figures suggest double-digit annual inflation except for the South East. This despite predicted interest-rate rises that could see a base rate of 5 per cent by the end of the year.
The worry is that another boom year increases the risk of it all ending in tears. Yet we have lived with that gloomy prediction for the past two years and prices have continued to rise.
