Main image: London, United Kingdom - colorful houses in Camden Town district.
£4.6 billion in lost tax receipts and business revenue since 2014: Why the current stamp duty regime is hurting the UK economy
Notwithstanding the latest move to target foreign buyers, the government's incessant tinkering with high-end property levies has failed to optimise direct and indirect tax revenue, stifled economic activity, and deprived the market of the necessary liquidity and fluidity to function normally, argues Fraser Slater...

Fraser is the CEO and Founder of Ludgrove. With 25 years experience as a Fund Manager and Property Developer in Chelsea, Fraser started Ludgrove with an ambition to create London's leading property buying agency. Fraser has a flair for spotting undiscovered property opportunities. This combined with his professionalism and expert negotiating skills honed on City trading floors, have won him the trust of some of the worlds' leading businessmen and entrepreneurs. Besides property his passions include cricket, skiing, football, rugby and the stock market. Fraser has lived in Prime Central London for over 20 years.
Cutting Stamp Duty ‘could boost transactions by 40% and tax revenues by £9.8bn’
According to buying agency Ludgrove's workings, a 36% reduction in Stamp Duty rates across the board would likely lead to 40% additional transactions in England per annum, in turn generating an extra £1.
Budget 2020: Property industry reactions to the non-resident Stamp Duty surcharge & more
It was not unexpected, but the new 2% Stamp Duty surcharge for overseas buyers is not particularly welcome either, say most of our prime residential property industry insiders...
By PrimeResi
Stamp duty receipts tumble by £1 billion
Latest statistics from HMRC confirm a massive fall from £12.9bn in 2017/18 to £11.9bn in 2018/19, the biggest decline seen since the financial crisis
By PrimeResi
Companies in this article
Ludgrove PropertyMost read
Big-brand super-prime brokerage names new MD; reveals bumper H1 results
United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty says it racked up nearly £600mn in sales during the first half of 2025.
Interiors lead appointed at super-prime Pimlico scheme
'Landmark' One Bessborough Gardens project is transforming a former Government spy agency HQ overlooking the Thames.
From Manhattan to Mayfair via Miami: Where the world’s $30m+ set call home
New research charts the cities with the largest UHNW residential footprints, revealing shifting second-home trends and emerging luxury hotspots.
London property market more split than it has been since Brexit – Knight Frank
Agency flags significant divergence in prices and deal volumes between PCL and POL amid ‘summer of speculation.'
Rosewood elevates luxury resi ambitions with senior hire
'Residential business is our strategic development focus,' says CEO of global hospitality group, as top-end specialist joins to drive next growth chapter.
Treasury eyes Autumn IHT & CGT hikes
Reports suggest the government 'is trying to work out how it can tap into the vast wave of wealth that will be transferred from baby boomers when they die.'
By PrimeResi
The Times: How a British estate agent conquered New York
Katrina Burroughs meets 'the rising star of the Big Apple’s real estate scene' ahead of the new season of hit Netflix show Owning Manhattan, in this piece for The Times.
Mayfair specialist joins Harding Green in Hertfordshire
Kitty Halley previously worked at Wetherell and Savills.
By PrimeResi
Irish developer Ronan ‘exploring a return to London’ following landmark Dublin deal
Johnny Ronan's Ronan Group - which once had grand plans for Battersea Power Station - is 'actively pursuing opportunities as it charts a course back into the UK market'.
By PrimeResi
In Pictures: ‘Gallery-worthy’ Chelsea Arts & Crafts house seeks £12.5mn
On the market for £12.5mn, the home on Chelsea Park Gardens 'has the potential to fetch £25,000 per week on a short let,' says Dexters.
By PrimeResi
LATEST ARTICLES
Major prime agency installs new lettings boss
Daniel Fisher will lead the 153-year-old firm's lettings business into its 'next chapter'.
In Pictures: Inside Echlin’s country house debut in the Cotswolds
Boutique design firm shows off its first interiors project outside of London - delivering 'subtle luxury' for a Singaporean family in Oxfordshire.
By PrimeResi
‘Fierce competition’ in SW London sees renters bid above asking
'75% of family houses were let at the asking price or above on the first viewing' in July, reports Savills.
By PrimeResi
Weekly Showcase: Ten featured prime resi listings
PrimeResi's regular stock check, powered by LonRes.
Four Seasons to launch standalone resi project in Abu Dhabi
Collaboration with asset manager Alain on Saadiyat Island is promising to 'redefine luxury living in the UAE.'