MORNING NEWS: Competition, challenges and lifelines

In the news this morning, Waheed Nazir, corporate director, economy, at Birmingham City Council makes the case for the “pressing challenge of delivering sufficient housing” to get more attention. Click here for the full story from EG.

Also today, while the competition regulator is to extend its investigation into the proposed merger of J Sainsbury and Asda by eight weeks, frozen food chain Iceland is eyeing stores the duo might be required to sell as it seeks to expand its Food Warehouse business.

And lenders throw Debenhams a lifeline as restructuring negotiations continue.

Elsewhere:

News round-up: Clever thinking for smart cities

Tom Barrack examines shake-up of Colony Capital

Fines for landlords caught out by tax probe more than double in a year

Planning appeal wait ‘could be cut by months’