Andy Burnham is facing increasing pressure to support the introduction of new council tax bands for higher-value homes. These proposals are part of a wider effort to modernise a system many believe no longer reflects today’s property market.

The UK government has launched a long-anticipated consultation looking at whether the legal rights of cohabiting couples should be reformed, following a noticeable rise in property disputes involving unmarried homeowners.

The Bank of England is widely expected to hold interest rates at 3.75% when policymakers announce their latest decision on Thursday 30 July. While this may appear to signal stability on the surface, there are a number of underlying factors creating a more complex and uncertain outlook.

The UK housing market continued to shift in favour of buyers throughout May, as transaction levels softened slightly and supply continued to outweigh demand in many areas. While headlines may focus on small percentage changes, the underlying story is far more significant.