Reeves cool on wealth tax, leaves door open for higher property charges 

Rachel Reeves cooled talk of a standalone wealth tax, joking it might not even work, but she cheerfully left the door ajar for higher property charges. With income tax, VAT, and NI safe, speculation swirled around landlords, home sales, and even a replacement for council tax.

Thinktanks chipped in with mansion tax musings, while Reeves reminded everyone Labour still planned 1.5 million homes. One certainty remained: tax rises were inevitable.

First Mortgage partners with Moneybox

First Mortgage teamed up with digital wealth manager Moneybox in a move that blended expert mortgage advice with sleek digital tools.

The partnership promised to make homeownership more achievable for first-time buyers and movers, while boosting both firms’ growth plans.

With a new Bath office, a Lucra Mortgages acquisition, and Moneybox’s rising reputation, the tie-up was pitched as a win-win. Leaders hailed it as turning dreams of homeownership into reality.

FCA urges firms to report ‘unlawful’ finfluencers

The FCA turned up the heat on rogue finfluencers, urging regulated firms to report unlawful activity to social media platforms — and to the watchdog if ignored. Lucy Castledine declared bad actors would be stopped, but flagged that tech firms still made evasion too easy.

With deepfakes, phoenix accounts and scams on the rise, the FCA vowed action. Recent prosecutions and global cooperation underscored its mission to safeguard markets and consumers.

Haysto launches mainstream broker brand Picnic

Haysto broadened its horizons with the launch of Picnic, a fresh broker brand aimed at mainstream borrowers craving simplicity.

Promising plain-English advice, swift tech-powered answers, and fewer nasty surprises, Picnic set out to make mortgages feel less like homework.

Industry veteran John Gili-Ross stepped in to lead the adviser team, while Haysto’s Haya platform and upcoming AI tools promised a slick experience. For Haysto, once the specialist, mainstream now looked like fair game.

New broker network Altura launches with plans to ‘future-proof’ brokers

Altura Mortgage Finance burst onto the scene with a mission to “future-proof” brokers in a shifting mortgage market.

Launching with eight firms, it championed freedom from red tape, specialist advice in areas like bridging and expat lending, and a lively WhatsApp community for real-time support. Led by Rob Gill and an experienced team,

Altura pitched itself as a network for ambitious brokers seeking scale, diversity, and independence without the admin headaches.

National insurance on rental income tax on ‘working people’: Housing body

Sir Vince Cable’s new housing committee warned that slapping national insurance on rental income would really be a tax on tenants, not just landlords. Fresh from its first meeting, the group urged wholesale reform of property taxes rather than piecemeal Budget tweaks.

With Rachel Reeves eyeing property levies to fill a fiscal hole, Cable insisted consultation was vital. Otherwise, higher rents and unintended consequences could be the legacy of rushed policymaking.

Reed names England’s dozen new towns

Steve Reed unveiled plans for a dozen new towns across England, promising 300,000 homes and plenty of affordable housing by 2050.

Launching the scheme at Labour’s conference, he pledged to channel post-war spirit with a red-cap slogan of “build, baby, build.” Early sites in Bedfordshire, London and Leeds would break ground before the election, while a new towns unit and environmental checks aimed to keep ambitions grounded. The housing dream got a reboot.

Mortgage Advice Bureau takes stake in UK Moneyman 

Mortgage Advice Bureau snapped up a majority stake in Hull-based UK Moneyman, bringing the 2009-founded brokerage under its wing as an appointed representative. The move marked a return for managing director Malcolm Davidson, who had worked with MAB over 20 years ago.

Both sides hailed the deal as a boost for growth, especially in later-life lending. With recent acquisitions and rising completions, MAB’s appetite for expansion looked anything but modest.

Platform launches to provide faster title insurance

Insurtech newcomer Incept unveiled a platform promising lightning-fast, data-driven title insurance. By tapping into Land Registry live feeds, its algorithm produced policies in seconds, aiming to cut the cost and delays of traditional due diligence.

Launched last year, the firm targeted lenders, funds, and even renewable energy projects. Founder Reema Mannah said the tech was built to speed property deals and tame risks — turning title insurance into something refreshingly nimble.

Mortgage approvals slow as Budget looms

Mortgage approvals dipped slightly in August, with purchases down to 64,700 and remortgages slipping to 37,900, according to Bank of England data. Interest rates on new mortgages edged lower, though affordability still pinched.

Market voices pointed to Budget jitters and stamp duty worries as reasons for muted activity, with some borrowers sticking to existing lenders. Still, resilience showed through — and with rates frozen, confidence was expected to steady heading into November.