Andrew Bailey slams Trump’s ‘dangerous’ threats against US Federal Reserve September 3, 2025 Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has said he is “very concerned” about President Trump’s threats against the US Federal Reserve. In a hearing before the Treasury Select Committee, Bailey said the threat to the Fed’s independence was a “very serious situation”. The Governor said he was worried about attempts to “trade off” monetary and [...]
How likely are property tax reforms in the Autumn budget? September 3, 2025 Rumours have been swirling in Westminster about a variety of property tax changes Rachel Reeves might introduce in this Autumn’s budget – or further down the line – in an attempt to plug a £40bn gap in the nation’s finances while overhauling a complex system of levies and charges. The Treasury is reportedly looking into [...]
There are no incentives to buy or move home, Rachel Reeves warned September 1, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned there are no incentives for people to buy or move home and that the Labour government needs to take action to ‘tackle the malaise’ in the building materials industry. John Newcomb, CEO of national trade body BMF (Builders Merchants Federation), added that “immediate intervention is now needed to thwart [...]
The worrying bond market trend no one is talking about September 1, 2025 Spiking interest rates on the UK government’s borrowing costs have set off a fresh wave of commentary on the health of Britain’s economy. Ali Lyon explores why it is only long-dated bonds where tremors have been most pronounced, and why the U has plenty of company. What will you be doing in 30 years’ time? [...]
Mortgage approvals rise for third month in a row September 1, 2025 Mortgage approvals for house purchases edged up in July, the third month in a row that has seen a rise, official data has shown. Money and credit statistics published by the Bank of England showed the housing market remains intact despite fears it might slump ahead of the Autumn Budget. The rise in approvals came [...]
National Insurance ‘final nail in coffin’ for landlords as some already seek exit August 29, 2025 A national insurance raid on landlords’ rental income risks being the final straw for smaller landlords, with some already making plans to leave the sector. The Chancellor is reportedly examining proposals for applying national insurance (NI) to rental income in the hope of raising £2bn. Earnings from property, pensions and savings are currently largely exempt from NI [...]
House sales rise in summer, but will property tax rumours kill confidence? August 29, 2025 The UK housing market has proved remarkably resilient this year despite significant pressures, with sales on track to match 2022 highs. The number of UK residential transactions in July was 95,580, four per cent higher than July 2024 and one per cent higher than June 2025, according to the latest data from HMRC. The market [...]
Household costs hit private renters and families in Labour’s first year August 28, 2025 Household costs rose higher for families and renters than other groups in the year to June, official data has shown, as inflation has nearly doubled in the first year of Labour compared to the last year of the previous Conservative government. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said overall UK household costs rose by 3.9 [...]
Reeves to consider national insurance on landlords’ rental income August 28, 2025 Rachel Reeves is considering a tax increase for UK landlords in this year’s Autumn budget as she attempts to fill a £40bn hole in the public finances. The Chancellor is examining proposals for applying national insurance (NI) to rental income in the hope of raising £2bn. Officials are drawing up options for tax rises in [...]
One in ten UK homes cut asking price in July August 28, 2025 One in ten UK homes registered a cut to the asking price in July, well above the five-year average, as sellers continue to adjust to a buyers market. Average house prices rose by just 1.3 per cent in the year to July, below the 2.1 price growth recorded at the start of 2025, according to Zoopla’s [...]