A new £2m-plus home surcharge is billed as progressive, but its impact falls mainly on London and the South East, where many owners now face an annual bill from 2028. Critics warn it punishes long-term residents, cools the prime market and deepens regional divides, even as households weigh downsizing. Many fear a new cliff edge at £2m too.

A delightful two-bedroom home with an open front outlook over open greensward, lounge features a cosy open fireplace, a sleek kitchen/diner flowing into an outside garden room, modern bathroom, generous storage, low-maintenance garden and private parking. Warm, stylish and ready to enjoy.

With plans announced to raise the council tax surcharge on higher-value homes, this snapshot looks at how many £2m-plus properties have actually sold across the UK this year. The data shows a highly concentrated market, dominated by London, and reveals just how small this sector is nationally despite the noise around a “mansion tax.”

Private renting has grown across every UK region over the last 40 years, but the scale and pace are often misunderstood. This graphic shows how uneven that growth has been, shaped largely by the decline in social housing. Understanding this shift helps explain today’s housing balance and the choices ahead.