We tend to think that obsessing about house prices is a Brit-thing, but the relentless (for now) rise in the value of homes is a thing in the US, Canada, DownUnderland and Scandewegia, too. They’ve shared the same highs and disadvantages as us, nothing on the market, bidding wars for what there is, first-timers not affording anything, those sitting tight thinking they’re rich. It is now, however, unravelling in a few of those places, with prices falling, interest rate rises biting, and reality setting in. As it always does, alas. What goes up has to eventually bump against a ceiling of some kind. So if you have a home, be glad for those who might now be able to afford one.
“Rachel Reeves may be forced to raise taxes”
Why did she/they (in the old sense) think that tinkering around with IHT and CGT would be enough to sort out the NHS; and the potholes; and…and the list goes on. My guess is that they asked the Treasury for a list of anything not involving income tax that they could get away with lightly, although they should already have learned from the winter fuel stuff that all publicity is not good publicity.