Is it time to view stamp duty from an economic rather than a political perspective?
If a stamp duty holiday is designed to help kick-start the economy, is that not a tacit acceptance of its flaws as a tax, asks Tom Bill...

Tom Bill is Head of UK Residential Research, producing reports that include Knight Frank’s flagship Prime Central London indices, the Super Prime London Insight and the London Residential Review. He has written detailed reports on London sub-markets and contributes to The Wealth Report and Global Cities report. Tom, a former Bloomberg and Reuters property journalist, is a regular media contributor on the London property market and has presented at events in Europe and the Middle East.
Former Housing Minister Mark Prisk on political football, Stamp Duty & the Chancellor’s challenge
Interview: Government should tackle the issue of stamp duty for "last-time movers", former Housing Minister Mark Prisk tells Knight Frank's Tom Bill.
By Tom Bill
The case for extending and tapering the stamp duty holiday
With property taxes back in focus after last week’s government spending review, Tom Bill take a closer look at what that may mean for stamp duty and capital gains tax...
By Tom Bill
Property exchanges were up 57% in January – will the stamp duty holiday be extended?
As MPs prepare to debate a petition to extend the stamp duty holiday by six months, it’s worth keeping an eye on two pieces of data that will play a crucial role in the eventual decision, says Tom Bill...
By Tom Bill
Companies in this article
Knight BuildMost read
Homes of the Rich & Famous: Celebrity-owned properties sell twice as fast as ‘normal’ listings
An A-list occupant can generate a huge buzz for a new instruction, reports Beauchamp Estates, but the effect on the property's value is less obvious.
By PrimeResi
Chestertons bolsters London super-prime lettings team
Big-brand estate agency eyes 'strategic growth' in top-end rental sector with new Head of Super Prime Lettings.
By PrimeResi
Super-prime North London mansion frozen in international fraud probe
Luxury Avenue Road residence, City office block and West End flats among £130mn of London property identified in crackdown on alleged global fraud operation.
By PrimeResi
Stamp Duty ‘should be abolished as part of a wholesale reform of property taxation’
'SDLT certainly should not be increased,' declares an in-depth new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and 'a well-designed tax system would have no place for SDLT at all.'
By PrimeResi
Wilfords brings in new Kensington & Chelsea sales boss
Independent agency boosts team and gears up for another office launch later this year.
Former Property Vision advisor launches Home Counties buying agency
Eddie Ruggles-Brise has set up an indie agency.
By PrimeResi
Luxury agency sells brace of storied PCL penthouses
Beauchamp Estates confirms sales of Belgravia and Marylebone apartments once home to Christine McVie and Mick Jagger, as part of a £100mn run of deals.
Exploring the £4bn makeover that’s pushed Mayfair ‘back up to the top of the Monopoly board’
Luxury property developers & great estates are pouring millions into public realm improvements in Mayfair - making the historic area 'central London's third-biggest regeneration zone.'
By PrimeResi
Innovo lines up debut London resi play opposite Lord’s
First outing for UK arm of Middle Eastern luxury property giant to deliver 89 new homes in collaboration with a 'best-in-class' design team.
Prime country house market ‘gains momentum’ as prices fall
Average country house prices have fallen -5.4% in the last year, reports Knight Frank - but the agency has seen a +9% increase in the number of offers accepted.
By PrimeResi
LATEST ARTICLES
Market Snapshot: Prime London, Q3 2025
Three key charts reveal what's happening on the ground ahead of a critical period for the capital's property market.
Landmark flooding guidance outlines growing risks & responsibilities for property pros
The RICS has published a 'comprehensive overview' of flooding & its implications for property professionals at the same time as the government releases an 'action plan' to help protect more homes from…
By PrimeResi
Savills installs new Wimbledon chief
Stewart Harrison was previously Head of Sales for John D Wood in Wandsworth.
By PrimeResi
London’s resi planning rules ‘set to be eased under emergency provisions’
Mayor Sadiq Khan & Housing Minister Steve Reed are said to be discussing a temporary relaxation of regulations in the capital.
By PrimeResi
Hamptons partners with Cyprus agency
Pafilia is the largest private property developer in Cyprus.
By PrimeResi