Industry Response to the Spring Statement

Following on from the Spring Statement, here are some thoughts from the Industry. Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock: “It’s extremely disappointing that the government have not used the Spring Statement as an opportunity to extend the impending Stamp Duty deadline for those currently going through the home-moving process. We estimate over 70,000 buyers are going…

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Leaders Response to the Spring Statement

Michael Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Leaders Romans Group Given the challenge of making £15 billion worth of cuts to public spending, today’s Spring Statement was never going deliver everything on the property industry’s wishlist. That said, two significant pieces of good news stand out amongst some otherwise depressing statistics. And this goes to show…

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Spring Statement ‘Sweetener’ or Legal Headache? Lawyer Weighs In

Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive and a UK lawyer, exploring the legal implications of the affordable housing investments. UK lawyer says “While this initiative will provide housing stability for thousands of families, many more will continue facing uncertainty.  “This ongoing pressure frequently leads to interconnected legal needs, from family law matters exacerbated…

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Private rent and house prices, UK: March 2025

Average UK monthly private rents increased by 8.1%, to £1,326, in the 12 months to February 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 8.7% in the 12 months to January 2025. Average rents increased to £1,381 (8.3%) in England, £785 (8.5%) in Wales, and £998 (5.8%) in Scotland, in the 12 months…

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London rental market remains stable in early 2025

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – February 2025 London rental market remains stable in early 2025 as demand and supply hold steady, Foxtons data shows The average rent now stands at £557 per week, slightly higher than in 2024 Applicant demand has remained within 3% of February 2024 levels Supply levels remain strong, with new listings…

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Industry Response to Latest Inflation Figures

With Inflation falling by 2.8%, here are some thoughts from the Industry. Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark: “This news will provide relief to many homeowners considering both the domestic and international pressures that the UK economy is currently facing and shows that the Bank of England’s cautious path last week to keep interest rates at…

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£2 billion new investment to support biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.

The government has announced a £20 million investment to support the delivery of community-led housing. An extra £2 billion injection of new grant funding to build up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes has also been confirmed today, helping to deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation while making…

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Building Safety Levy is an Anti-Growth Policy

The Government has released its response to the Building Safety Levy (BSL) consultation, confirming the taxation levels it seeks to impose across the development industry. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders, said: “The Building Safety Levy is anti-growth, anti-SME policy, which will weaken the housebuilding industry and put the Government’s 1.5…

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The Remediation of Dangerous Cladding report

The Public Accounts Committee has released its report; The Remediation of Dangerous Cladding identifying a range of barriers to successful remediation and presenting recommendations to the UK Government. The scale and impact of the cladding crisis that followed the Grenfell Tower disaster has proved much greater than anyone understood when this Committee first reported on…

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Housing affordability in England and Wales: 2024

In 2024, the median average home in England, at £290,000, cost 7.7 times the median average earnings of a full-time employee (£37,600); in Wales the average home (£201,000) was 5.9 times annual earnings (£34,300). Affordability in England and Wales in 2024 has returned to its pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels after a sharp increase between 2020…

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National Federation of Builders response to investment package of £600 million to train 60,000 construction apprentices

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced £600 million in investment to train up 60,000 construction apprentices. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The Chancellor has followed up her push for planning reform with considerable new funding to train more construction apprentices, demonstrating her understanding that without business certainty and high-quality…

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Inheritance Tax raises £7 billion in 10 months

Inheritance tax receipts hit £7 billion in the ten months from April 2024 to January 2025, according to figures released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this morning. This is £700 million higher than the same ten months last year and continues the upward trajectory over the last two decades. HMRC raised £7.499 billion in…

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Decline in small house builders continues, warns FMB

New figures for planning applications in 2024, published by the Government today show worrying signs that, despite the push to boost house building rates, permissions granted to small sites of 9 units or fewer are down, demonstrating the smallest house builders are struggling to get homes delivered, warns the FMB. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the…

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