Post-Budget and Election Analysis: What UK Property and Finance Professionals Need to Know

As the dust settles from the UK’s Autumn Budget and the recent U.S. Presidential Election, property and finance professionals have had much to digest in recent weeks.

Here, we’ve gathered insights from industry experts on the Budget’s implications, Trump’s recent U.S. election victory, and what it all means for the property and specialist finance sectors.

James Wild, Director, MJ Group International, emphasised the challenge of meeting a pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes. Wild noted that the goal requires delivering 300,000 homes annually for five years—which is the same as the previous governments target, which was never close to being achieved. According to Wild, “The main differential moving forward is how quickly the new government can achieve some form of planning reform and fair affordable housing allocation; otherwise, the sector is going to be combatting the same restrictive issues, which prevented these targets being previously achieved.”

He also highlighted a critical geographic imbalance in housing supply: “Population growth in parts of the UK, particularly London, has soared by over 30% since 1991, while some northern areas have grown by less than 5% in the same period. This disparity has led to heightened demand and escalating property prices in the South-East, underscoring the need for strategic development in high-demand regions.” Wild’s insights suggest that, beyond increasing housing numbers, strategic location and planning reforms are essential if the government hopes to meet its ambitious housing goals.

Ian Axe, Non-Executive Chairman of Century Capital: “The UK desperately needs leadership on growth. Tax and spend in the public sector needs to be balanced with how economic growth is achieved. It’s not clear this was achieved in the Autumn Budget.”

Ian Axe’s comments reflect a common sentiment: while the Budget addresses public sector needs, there’s still uncertainty about how the measures will fuel growth. Without clear policies that directly encourage economic expansion, the property market may see lingering caution among investors until there is a clear path toward growth.

Steven Sharp, Broker to HNWI and UHNWIs: “The Budget wasn’t as heavy-handed as some expected, with capital gains tax (CGT) left relatively untouched, which is a relief for many. However, there are challenges. In terms of non-domiciled residents, wealthy individuals have global options for tax residency. This could lead some to consider moving assets or residency elsewhere.

Adding another layer of complexity, Trump’s recent U.S. election victory has started to stir interest among American buyers in London’s prime property market, where prime central London (PCL) estate agents in London saw a surge in inquiries from American clients looking to rent or buy in sought-after areas like Notting Hill and Kensington.

According to Elliot Jones, Head of Digital & Co-Founder ADVSR.ai “Online searches for ‘UK Real Estate’ surged 24 hours post Trump’s election victory. US buyers in their droves are looking at investing overseas.”

This interest from American buyers could help offset any migration away from London and sustain demand in the PCL sector.

Luke Navin, Managing Director, Century Capital: For UK-based lenders, including Century Capital, this presents both opportunities and challenges. The bridging finance sector is crucial for clients needing swift financial solutions. This is not expected to change.

As Steven Sharp remarks, “Our lending partners are still here to support borrowers—whether for bridging short-term liquidity gaps, refinancing or completing asset sales. We anticipate the bridging market to see a lift under these political conditions.

For UK lenders, this dual environment of opportunity and uncertainty underscores the importance of agility. Paul Munford, Founder & CEO of Century Capital, emphasised bridging finance as a pivotal tool: “Amid political uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment, bridging finance provides a much-needed safety net for property investors and homeowners. Century Capital’s position in the bridging market is uniquely strong and we are well-positioned to support brokers and borrowers through these shifting landscapes.