‘Urgent and consistent’ policies needed to revive SME housebuilding November 4, 2025 The government must fix the ‘overly complex, costly, and slow’ operating environment for small and medium construction companies to unlock housebuilding, according to a new report. Delivery of new homes could be increased by up to 56 per cent – 100,000 properties a year – if barriers to building are removed, according to the State [...]
London Finance Panel Calls for Targeted Reform to Safeguard the City’s Trillion Capital Market Asset November 3, 2025 The Central London Alliance’s (CLA) event, London: Opportunities and Obstacles for Growth, featured a high-level panel on the future of London’s financial services that looked closely at Capital Markets and Financial Planning for the city. Panellists Akash Kapoor, Charles Hall, Christian May and James Quarmby delivered a measured but firm message on the essential reforms [...]
Private credit: Ponzi scheme or panacea? November 3, 2025 Over the past decade, the private credit industry has ballooned from arcane financial solution to a core pillar of asset management. But recent tremors in corporate debt markets have led several economic institutions to warn of its risks to the global economy. Ali Lyon asks: how worried should we be? What kept you awake at [...]
Abolish regressive, outdated stamp duty November 3, 2025 Stamp duty abolition isn’t just desirable it’s an economic necessity, says Alex Michelin Ask any first-time buyer, young family or downsizing pensioner what’s stopping them from moving home and you’ll hear the same answer: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This once marginal transaction cost has evolved into a structural impediment to the UK housing market, [...]
Reeves plans Autumn Budget tax raid on mansions November 1, 2025 Rachel Reeves is strongly considering a change to council tax payments as a way for owners of more expensive houses to pay more, according to people familiar with the matter. The move would be instead of a direct selling tax on expensive houses, which experts have warned would simply gum up the market as fewer [...]
The very best hotel in the UK has been revealed October 31, 2025 A panel of expert judges have revealed the inaugural list of the world’s 100 best hotels, and three of the winners are in the capital. The hotel voted best in the UK at the annual World’s 50 Best Hotels awards at Old Billingsgate Market last night was Claridge’s, which took the 16th spot. The Art [...]
Fidelis launches new Lloyd’s syndicate with backing from Blackstone October 31, 2025 The Fidelis Partnership (TFP) has announced the launch of Syndicate 2126 with backing from Blackstone, expanding its footprint in the Lloyd’s of London market just 18 months after entering. The new syndicate followed in-principle approval from Lloyd’s and will be managed alongside Fidelis’ existing Syndicate 3123. Blackstone has committed dedicated three-year capacity to back the [...]
House prices edge higher amid Budget speculation October 31, 2025 UK house prices rose for a second consecutive month, as buyers remained resilient amid growing tax rise speculation in the upcoming Autumn Budget. The average value of a house increased 0.3 per cent to £272,226 in October, according to Nationwide’s latest housing pricing index. House prices were 2.4 per cent higher than last year, following [...]
Super-rich ditch London mansions for flats, developer says October 30, 2025 London’s super-rich are swapping mansions for pieds-à-terre as they seek to wind down their presence in the UK or exit altogether, one of the top developers in the capital has said. Alex Michelin, co-founder of Valouran, said many high net worth individuals (HNWIs) remained attracted to London but were scaling down their property investment to [...]
How London’s luxury property market ground to a halt October 30, 2025 On Bishops Avenue, it is quiet. On a recent weekend walk down the mile-long parade of luxury mansions, not a single other person could be spotted strolling along the pavement. The property market for Hampstead-based The Bishops Avenue, known locally as Billionaire’s Row, is equally quiet. Aside from one high-end house snapped up by a [...]