Economics

The UK's base rate of interest has been rising since December 2021, as the Bank of England attempts to keep a lid on inflation.

It's being reported that Friday's "emergency mini-Budget" will feature a cut to Stamp Duty. Is this wise, and what impact might such a move have on the property market and on the wider UK economy?

Super-prime estate agent Trevor Abrahmsohn hopes the new Prime Minister 'will succeed and be our Queen Boadicea in difficult economic times'.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor will announce a reduction in property transaction taxes on Friday, suggests The Times.

"Some projects could become economically unviable if local authorities force developers to increase Section 106 agreements in line with runaway inflation," warns Boodle Hatfield.

London has fallen further down the wealthiest city rankings, with fewer millionaires now calling the UK capital home than New York, Tokyo and San Francisco.

"In light of the period of national mourning now being observed in the United Kingdom, the September 2022 meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee has been postponed for a period of one week."

A house price correction of between 10% and 20% looks increasingly likely, writes Colin Jones, Professor of Real Estate at Heriot-Watt University.

Unless the economic scene changes dramatically, a cataclysmic collapse in property values is unlikely, says the Glentree boss.

Another influential team of analysts expects a sharp downturn for Britain's property market, with London house prices likely to fall 15%.

London estate agency Benham & Reeves expects house prices to rise by another 5% before the end of the year.

Prime Central London will “continue to outperform” the wider London and national UK property markets, says Capital Economics, as it issues another set of downbeat forecasts.