The coming months are set to be pivotal for UK housing policy, as Government ministers face mounting pressure to deliver on a series of promised reforms. Recent ministerial responses indicate that key initiatives, including Stamp Duty relief for last-time buyers, a long-term housing strategy, and digitisation of the home buying process, are all in the pipeline for 2025.

Housing Reform on the Horizon

Over the past week, ministers have been quizzed in Parliament about the Government’s plans to address pressing housing issues. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook was asked when the Government would respond to the Our Future Homes report, which advocates for Stamp Duty relief for last-time buyers—an initiative aimed at encouraging older homeowners to downsize and free up larger properties for families.

Pennycook’s response was measured but promising: “We are committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy, which will be published later this year.”

This long-term strategy has been a point of anticipation for housing experts and industry stakeholders, as it is expected to lay the foundation for addressing affordability, supply, and sustainability in the UK property market. However, Pennycook refrained from giving a precise timeline, offering only a “later this year” commitment.

Digitising Home Buying and Selling

Another significant housing policy initiative concerns the modernisation of the home buying process. Labour MP Rushanara Ali was asked when the Government intends to begin work on digitising property transactions. In response, she confirmed that progress is imminent: “The Government committed to two projects to digitalise the home buying and selling process, including opening up local authority data and developing common data standards. These will be launched in the spring.”

This digital transformation is expected to streamline property transactions, making them more transparent, efficient, and less prone to delays—an issue that has long plagued home buyers and sellers across the UK.

Looking Ahead

With a busy legislative calendar ahead, housing remains a top priority for policymakers. As housing affordability, supply shortages, and energy efficiency continue to dominate the national conversation, industry professionals and homeowners alike will be closely watching how these promised reforms unfold.

As the Government prepares to unveil its long-term housing strategy later this year, the question remains: will these reforms be the game-changer the UK housing market desperately needs, or will delays and compromises dilute their impact? The coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of housing policy in Britain.