UK Property

Published 14th May 2025, 05:45 BSTNow another sucker punch is on the horizon. There’s still time, though, for the government to drop its gloves, retreat to the corner, and give businesses a fair fight.That potential knockout blow, particularly for family-owned SMEs, comes in the form of proposed changes to Business Property Relief (BPR).For more than 30 years, BPR has been a cornerstone of the UK’s inheritance tax system. It allows qualifying business assets to be passed down without incurring a punitive tax bill, enabling family-run firms to transition smoothly across...

Grants from £2,500 up to £10,000 are available to help businesses start trading from a city centre or local high street property. The Vacant Commercial Property Grant scheme has reopened, supporting new or expanding small organisations looking to open a new premises in the city centre or on one of Bristol’s 46 high streets. It is open to businesses, charities, community interest companies (CICs), sole traders and arts and culture groups for both long-term and temporary or meanwhile use. The grant can be used to pay for capital expenditure including...

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a series of fires including at Sir Keir Starmer’s family home and another property linked to the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police said a 21-year-old was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. In a statement, the Met said the arrest related to the fire at the four-bedroom house in Kentish Town...

CNN  —  British police said on Tuesday they had arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of arson after counter-terrorism officers launched an investigation into three fires, including one at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s private home. Police were called to reports of a fire in the early hours of Monday morning at the property in Kentish Town in north London, the area that Starmer represents in parliament. Nobody was injured but damage was caused to the property’s entrance, police said. The man was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on...

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a series of fires including at Sir Keir Starmer’s family home and other property linked to the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police said a 21-year-old was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. In a statement, the Met said the arrest related to the fire at the four-bedroom house in Kentish Town...

The patriarch of one of the Europe’s biggest fortunes is among the latest wave of rich baby boomers and Gen X residents exiting the United Kingdom amid tax hikes aimed at the country’s wealthiest denizens.Troels Holch Povlsen, the 75-year-old founder of clothing giant Bestseller, which owns the Jack & Jones brand, recently switched his usual residency to his native Denmark after previously citing it as England, according to registry filings.Elio Leoni Sceti, 59, the former chief executive officer of EMI Music and co-founder of an early stage investment firm based...

Dreams of the perfect profession, pastimes and even partner often lure young people away from the their hometowns to the bright lights of a big city. As time passes and ambitions are fulfilled, many wish to swap the excitement of city life for a more settled lifestyle. In the programme, presenter Helen Skelton and Northern Ireland architect Patrick Bradley follow one such young couple. Jess and Colin are leaving London to return to their family roots in Powys in rural Wales where they hope to create their dream house. Having...

British police are investigating a fire which broke out at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's house in London.In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said officers were called to a property in Kentish Town, in the north London borough of Camden. Authorities say there was damage to the property's exterior but no one was injured. The house is in Mr Starmer's parliamentary constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.The Labour leader previously lived there before moving into Downing Street — the traditional home of British prime ministers — after his election victory last July."Officers...

UK PM Keir Starmer’s north London house hit by suspicious fireA fire broke out early Monday at a house in north London owned by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.The fire caused damage to the entrance of the property but as per the Metropolitan Police, no one was injured in the incident. As per the reports, the police, including counter-terrorism officers are now investigating the incident.The house, located in Kentish Town, is not where Starmer currently lives but he still owns the property and has rented it out.A statement from...

Who should use the practice note? Solicitors and their teams who handle property transactions.  The note considers how to address climate change risks in these transactions, whether they involve residential, commercial, or mixed-use properties.  The note offers practical advice suitable for most solicitors, regardless of their firm's size or whether they specialise in residential or commercial work.   Consultation findings In September 2024, we launched a public consultation to explore how a new climate risk and conveyancing practice note could help you. The consultation produced detailed feedback that has been used...