Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Newly appointed economic secretary Lucy Rigby and housing minister Matthew Pennycook have called on lenders to make first-time buyers their top priority, in a roundtable meeting hosted by the Treasury yesterday. The roundtable, which included
Data from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) shows planning permission was granted for just 44,520 new homes in England during the second quarter of this year, the lowest quarterly figure since 2012. Just 1,410 sites
The government has published its draft Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provision) Regulations 2025 for technical consultation, after bringing forward targeted amendments to close regulatory loopholes, address proportionality concerns and account for
The Q2 statistics from the Bank of England Mortgage Lenders and Administrators Return (MLAR) show an increase of 0.3% in the outstanding value of all residential mortgage loans compared to the previous quarter. The total
Digital property exchange platform PEXA has processed over £200 million in UK remortgage transactions, just seven months after reaching the £100 million milestone and four times as fast. The increase demonstrates the appetite for technological
The latest UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report from Moneyfacts reveals the combined choice of higher loan-to-value mortgages (90% and 95% LTV) is at its highest count in 17 years. Combined, the deals represent 19% of
Analysis from Zoopla reveals how far homebuyers are prepared to cast the net when searching for a property. The average search radius is now 3.4 miles, down from 4.3 miles in 2021 – but 26%
HM Land Registry has achieved a Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its work in designing and implementing the Land Registration Academy training programme. The programme was designed to provide training and development to
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is hosting an in-person event in London on 16th September to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the legal services sector. ‘Reshaping Legal Services’, hosted by Clifford Chance at the
A couple are facing a £100,000 stamp duty bill following a Court of Appeal decision related to the distinction between residential and non-residential property. The appeal was brought by Mr and Mrs Mudan, who had
Steve Reed OBE has been appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government following the resignation of Angela Rayner. Reed, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North since 2012, will take on the
The Halifax has reported the third consecutive monthly increase in the average house price in the UK, which the building society says is supported by improving affordability and resilient demand. An increase of 0.3% in
A solicitor who acted for both sides in a property transaction, including an elderly and vulnerable client who was charged an elevated fee, has been suspended from practice for nine months by the Solicitors Disciplinary
New data from mortgage product platform Twenty7tec shows a slowdown in mortgage searches over the traditionally quiet August period, with the total number falling 13.95% compared to July. The decrease took overall search activity to
Angela Rayner has resigned as the UK deputy prime minister after admitting underpaying stamp duty on the purchase of an £800,000 flat. Rayner resigned this morning after Sir Keir Starmer received a report into the
The managing director of the conveyancing firm that handled the purchase of Angela Rayner’s Hove flat has issued a statement to The Telegraph, explaining that the firm did not give tax or trust advice. Joanna
The Q2 Household Finance Review from UK Finance shows an expected drop in purchase transactions following stamp duty changes. But with mortgage lending returning to growth, the financial services trade association says the data suggests
The latest housing insight report from Propertymark shows a drop in demand over July, but the number of transactions and appraisals reflect a buoyant market and unshaken consumer confidence, the organisation says. The monthly survey
Analysis by financial data company Moneyfacts reveals monthly mortgage repayments of an average earner now amount to almost half of their gross salary, reaching levels last seen in the 2008 financial crisis. At the turn
The position of Angela Rayner is in doubt today after she admitted to underpaying stamp duty by up to £40,000. But while Sir Keir Starmer defended his deputy, conveyancers were up in arms about the
The quarterly Conveyancing Costs Index from home moving company reallymoving shows the cost of conveyancing dropped slightly in Q2, with a decrease of 0.1% taking the average cost of services to £2,435. Adjusted for inflation,
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has confirmed the autumn budget will be held on Wednesday 26 November. In a video message posted yesterday, the chancellor outlined the government’s achievements over the last year, but
Conveyancing and property services group Simplify and estate agency franchisor The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) have established a partnership to deliver conveyancing services to their brands. The partnership will see Simplify and TPFG combine data
The face of the high street lawyer is changing. Over the last decade, the number of sole practitioners has dropped from 27% to 16%, while incorporated companies have increased from 36% to 57% over the
Research from Landmark Information Group has identified a dramatic shift in buyer sentiment surrounding climate change, with 99% of property professionals surveyed for the research reporting rising concern amongst buyers. In the survey of 150
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on regulatory fees and fee rates for the licence year beginning 1 November 2025. Members are invited to review and respond to a consultation paper outlining
HM Land Registry is amending descriptions of easements in title registers to provide greater consistency, clarity and accuracy, after some legal professionals found the wording confusing. Writing in an HMLR blog, head of practice David
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) says building safety regulations are inadequate and will put government plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes at risk unless they are urgently reformed. Implementation of the Building
New Bank of England money and credit data shows net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 800 to 65,400 in July – the third consecutive monthly increase after falling for the previous four. Approvals
Nationwide’s August House Price Index shows a softening of growth, with prices down 0.1% since July. But with wider conditions supporting buyer demand, industry commentators said the news is ‘no surprise’ and will ‘drive a
Conveyancers across the UK will be honoured for their role in delivering fast, reliable property transactions at the upcoming EA Masters, to be held in London on the 4th November. The event will also see
UK residential property transactions increased by 4% in July compared to the same period last year, with the seasonally adjusted estimates showing a 1% rise since June. The provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate also sits 4%