London house prices set to barely budge in 2026 December 18, 2025 Property prices in London are set to rise only marginally next year after falling in 2025 as the capital faces continued housing pressure. London has been hit by a combination of unaffordability and high supply this year, with sellers struggling to push through deals and buyers often able to negotiate prices downward. Government data on [...]
London house prices slump following Budget chaos December 17, 2025 London house prices have fallen by more than two per cent year on year, as Budget chaos took its toll on a volatile housing market. The average house price in London for October was £547,000, down 2.4 per cent from the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Property experts said this [...]
Bank of mum and dad now funding multiple steps up housing ladder December 17, 2025 The ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ are funding more than just first steps on the housing ladder, with financial gifts pivotal for second steppers too. Nearly 20 per cent of second-time buyers have received support to buy their property, according to new research from Barclays, rising to 30 per cent for first-time buyers. This amounts [...]
Switzerland has rejected wealth taxes: Westminster should take note December 17, 2025 Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 50 per cent inheritance tax, proving that individuals in a democracy understand that confidence in a jurisdiction can evaporate quickly, says Tim Focas Swiss voters have issued one of the clearest democratic verdicts on wealth and capital in recent memory. Last month, more than eight in ten rejected [...]
Housing market set for ‘return to normality’ after year of uncertainty December 16, 2025 UK house prices have dropped around £2,000 in the last year despite improved access to mortgages and lower interest rates. The average price of a home in the four weeks to 6 December was £358,138, which is 0.6 per cent ( £2,059) lower than the same period a year ago, according to Rightmove. Last year, meanwhile, house [...]
UK investors spooked by tax hikes on dividends and savings December 16, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ Budget decisions have raised alarm bells among DIY investors after they were hit with tax hikes and cuts to incentives, despite the Chancellor’s aim to push more funds into public markets. Over 70 per cent of investors said they were concerned about the increased basic and higher rates of taxes on dividends, property [...]
Private landowner sends Lime an £8k bill as e-bike row escalates December 16, 2025 A London property firm has invoiced Lime nearly £8,000 for removing, storing and returning dockless e-bikes left on its private land, City AM understands, amid struggles to contain the capital’s bike clutter problem. Russell Gray, director of property firm Shiva Ltd, personally returned around ten Lime bikes to the firm’s depot on Thursday, handing staff [...]
Mickey Mouse puts copyright woes to bed with Disney-OpenAI deal December 16, 2025 Disney’s $1bn investment in OpenAI, coupled with a three year licensing deal for over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters on Sora, constitutes a seismic shift in how Hollywood thinks about content creation and copyright. Last week’s announcement, long anticipated since CEO Bog Iger hinted at AI plans, marks the first time a [...]
Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing UK to Combine, Creating a Premier Transatlantic Law Firm December 15, 2025 Winston Taylor to build on shared vision and culture in establishing a transatlantic powerhouse for major litigation, critical transactions, strategic IP, and private wealth
FCA to ‘rebalance’ risk in mortgage market in first time buyer boost December 15, 2025 The UK’s financial watchdog is planning a major overhaul of mortgage market rules in a bid to support more Brits getting on the housing ladder. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it aims to “rebalance risk” in the market to encourage innovation and allow a greater number of people to get access to finance. “Rebalancing [...]