Judiciary sets out diversity and inclusion priorities in latest strategy
The Judiciary of England and Wales has published its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030, which sets out its priorities for expanding the diversity of the judiciary, particularly the number of Black judges. The Judiciary said it is committed to achieving meaningful progress in diversity and inclusivity, with the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, saying […]
Myerson Connections sponsors law firm growth podcast
The Law Firm Owners Podcast has named Myerson Connections as its new headline sponsor. The new sponsor, a referral scheme for legal professionals operated by Greater Manchester’s Myerson Solicitors, came on board after listening to a year’s worth of weekly episodes. Hosted by law firm growth consultant Dan Warburton (pictured), high profile podcast guests have […]
House prices up, but data is ‘out of date and irrelevant’
The latest UK House Price Index, covering November, reveals that average UK house price annual inflation was 2.5% in the 12 months to November 2025, up from the revised estimate of 1.9% in the 12 months to October 2025. The average UK house price was £271,000 in November 2025, £6,000 higher than 12 months ago. […]
Inflation target an ‘uphill climb’ as latest figures show increase to 3.4%
Property industry figures have described the latest inflation figures as “disappointing”, as the latest Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased to 3.4% in the year to December; up from 3.2% in November. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said alcohol, tobacco and transport made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change, which remains above the […]
Barriers to home ownership are easing, with Gen Z buyers most optimistic, Barclays report finds
The latest Property Insights report from Barclays suggests traditional barriers to homeownership are easing, indicated by smaller deposits, consistent demand for more affordable properties, and a growing preference for higher loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages. The research also reveals that a third (34%) of those in the Gen Z age group questioned for the report hope to […]
‘Rooftop revolution’ as government commits £15bn to better insulate homes
The government says it will “unleash a rooftop revolution” as part of efforts to install energy efficient home heating solutions in up to five million properties, in a bid to tackle long term energy costs and lift people out of fuel poverty. The prime minister has announced £15 billion of funding for home upgrades […]
Improved affordability provides boost to first-time buyers – Nationwide
Continued improvement in affordability helped support first-time buyer activity over 2025, a new report from Nationwide suggests. However, considerable variation in affordability remains across occupational groups, and is most challenging for people working in sales and customer service, but easier for those in managerial and professional roles. Regionally, affordability is most stretched in London and […]
Women in Residential Property webinars announced
Join Women in Residential Property for their regular webinar on what is happening in and around the property industry. The next Property Industry Update – Online is Tuesday 3 February 2026 at 12 noon. Find out how women can work together to leverage the opportunities and tackle challenges to the wider benefit of stakeholders, and […]
Increase in HMLR staff costs reflects 2,700 new employees, minister says
HM Land Registry figures revealing a £158 million increase in staff costs since 2017 reflect the appointment of over 2,700 new employees, Matthew Pennycook, the minister of state for housing, communities and local government has said. HMLR spent £326 million on staff costs for permanent employees in 2024-25, up from £168 million in 2016-17. Responding […]
‘The property market has weathered the storm’ – brighter days ahead
The final Property and Homemover Report for 2025 from TwentyCi and TwentyEA reveals a 10% increase in transactions compared to the previous year, with the highest number of properties listed for sale in a decade – over 1.7 million. Exchange volumes increased by 12.6% in comparison to 2024, ending the year at 986,665. The average […]
November’s market was ‘resilient but measured’, Propertymark says
Propertymark’s housing insight report for November, released this week, reveals a “resilient but measured” market, the organisation said. Although the figures from the estate agents’ body show a slight dip in agreed sales (down to 6.8 from 7.8 in October) and a fall in buyer registrations (down two to 57 per branch) the change reflected […]
Government allocates £14m to support local plan implementation
The government has announced a minimum of £14 million in funding to support local authorities with local plan making. The funding will be available to eligible authorities using both the legacy and new plan making systems, and is in addition to £29 million awarded in January and March last year. The Legacy Plan System Funding […]
Buyer demand up 57% – Rightmove
Rightmove’s snapshot of January activity shows a 57% increase in buyer demand compared to the two weeks before Christmas, with the number of newly listed homes for sale up 81%. Although activity hasn’t reached the levels seen last year, when it was fuelled by generous stamp duty allowances, demand is in line with levels seen […]
Only one use of QES for HMLR in three months
HM Land Registry (HMLR) has recorded the use of only one e-signature in the three months since it launched the technology for conveyancers, according to a report from Novus Strategy. The home buying and selling consultancy discovered the take-up rate following a freedom of information requestion to HMLR, which invited conveyancers to start using Qualified […]
January conveyancing registrations up 74% since last year
Data from the home moving comparison website reallymoving reveals a 74% increase in conveyancing registrations for the first two weeks in January compared to the same period last year. Combined registrations for conveyancing, survey and removals quotes between 1-15 January increased by 58% between 1-15 January, the company added, indicating that home moving activity is […]
‘Signs of renewed activity are emerging’, Landmark’s latest housing report finds
Property transaction activity in Q4 was dampened by hesitation despite early signs of renewed momentum towards the end of December, Landmark Information Group says in its latest Residential Property Trends Report – but signs of renewed activity are emerging. The property data company attributes external economic and fiscal factors as the cause of buyers and […]
LMS announced as pre- and post-event sponsor at the British Conveyancing Awards – tickets available now
The British Conveyancing Awards is delighted to announced conveyancing technology platform LMS as the sponsor of the pre- and post-awards events, which will be held in Manchester on 12 March. The awards, which see the return of environmental data and property due diligence search provider Groundsure as headline sponsor, recognise and celebrate the work of […]
New CoPSO strategy ‘will help drive digital transformation’
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the trade association for the property search industry, has shared a new strategy which it says is designed to strengthen the property market and support its members as the sector embraces digital transformation. The strategy, released as the organisation celebrates its 25-year milestone, reinforces CoPSO’s role as “a […]
Zoopla analysis finds ‘strong rebound in buyer demand’
New analysis from property website Zoopla has revealed strong buyer demand across the country, although the property portal says market conditions vary across the regions. “After a sluggish end to 2025 it is positive to see a strong rebound in buyer demand over the first weeks of the year across all parts of the country,” […]
High Court test case rules WhatsApp messages are not legal signatures in transfer of property
A High Court judge in a test case involving a dispute over the ownership of property belonging to a former husband and wife has ruled WhatsApp messages are not legally binding signatures in the transfer of property. In Maxine Reid-Roberts & Anor v Hsiao Mei-Lin & Anor, Mr Justice Cawson did not consider WhatsApp messages […]