Reeves' plan to tax houses over 500k

[FridayFeelingmidweek]

Just been reading news about Reeves's plan to tax https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/aug/18/rachel-reeves-stamp-duty-property-tax-council-tax

AIBU to already be worrying about living in the south east? Surely this will force people either to never move, or move away from SE/London.

I'm glad that there is finally something that isn't negatively affecting areas outside the SE but does she actually understand that 500k isn't much down here - 3 bed terrace at best.

The politics of resentment.

I’m not the one making the policy’s that throws SEN kids of out settings I’m also not someone who found delight in that policy, so for the people that did I do hope some other idiot labour tax bites them on the arse.

The benefits bill isn't soaring. That's a right-wing lie to justify an attack on disabled people.

I don't know if these suggestions are correct but we absolutely do need to do something about housing, it's strangling the economy. Another poster mentioned taxing lower earners more like they do in other countries.

"The UK has housing costs 44% higher than equivalent costs in similar countries."

This is the problem and of course it disproportionately impacts younger people as they are more likely to be renting or paying a mortgage.

I’m sorry but this is just totally incorrect - there is pelt y of data to show the increase in cost of the welfare state as the number of claimants grows.

I am sure whatever it will be will be higher than whatever people are currently paying even for those on the lower Council Tax Band, but of course it will be cloaked as addressing property inequality, when fundamentally it is just more tax for everybody.

She's a bitch. I hope she goes to hell for the misery she is causing people (Pensioners aren't going to forget how she cut their winter fuel allowance).

The benefits bill is soaring.

@brewshaw thanks, will have a listen. It's a huge issue & completely uncharted territory.

So let me get your view point straight.

The poor people on the soaring benefits are the big problem.

But the poor people who have houses for over £500k are skint? Am I right?

actually when you appeal, the banding can go up as well as down.

Well if she ever did she clearly decided against it.

I’m sorry but this is just totally incorrect - there is pelt y of data to show the increase in cost of the welfare state as the number of claimants grows.

Logically an ageing population will mean more spent on welfare. Plus a lot of upcoming retirees won't have mortgage free homes so housing benefit will keep growing. It's such a fucking mess.

Where has the tax on gambling gone? It was briefly mentioned and then it evaporated. It’s a huge industry that just siphons money away from the pockets of regular people, puts people in dreadful debt and ruins lives.

Its a theoretical question which people get very defensive about it seems

Its not unreasonable to ask why anyone shouldnt pay more to live somewhere more desirable with its impact on resources, overcrowding, pressure on schools and health services and taking talent and money out of other areas

I would wager that most people who call themselves Londoners, were not born and bred in London. So you choose to move down from Manchester or up from Cornwall or wherever, perhaps there is a financial impact on you for that choice?

It's not just the SE that would be affected by this, we live in a less posh area of the SW but a lot of larger or detached 3 beds and most 4 beds will be pushing the £500k mark. Not tiny homes, but not exactly large mansions either, just family size homes.

Up 1/3rd in 4 years is not affordable.

www.ft.com/content/f83d210d-b144-4769-83b3-9f5def82ddba

Labour are a total joke.

She's a bitch. I hope she goes to hell for the misery she is causing people (Pensioners aren't going to forget how she cut their winter fuel allowance).

To me this is the problem, everybody wants someone else to pay. There was absolutely nothing wrong with means testing winter fuel. It's ridiculous you can have an income of 75k and still qualify.

Um , nothing has been said in certain government departments, you certain it's not headlines again

I don’t think they are clueless, how can they be with all the advisors and economists at their disposal?

I think it’s quite extraordinary to think people should be taxed more for the crime of… wanting to live in a ‘more desirable area’ ie probably just somewhere commutable jobs.

Everything in society can’t be solved by taxing workers more.

The people who have paid over £500k for a house are skint. Do you argue with that? If you’ve paid £500k for a house you’ve bough fairly recently and have a mortgage.

Its not unreasonable to ask why anyone shouldnt pay more to live somewhere more desirable with its impact on resources, overcrowding, pressure on schools and health services and taking talent and money out of other areas

tbf there isnt pressure on schools. People aren't having dc & many families have moved out.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9857r973xgo.amp

They are just incapable of living within their means, they just want to give handouts to their union donors, they have always been the same, the sooner we get rid of them the better.

I would wager that most people who call themselves Londoners, were not born and bred in London.

I call myself a Londoner because that's exactly what I am, born & raised. If I moved to Newcastle I don't think anyone would say I was a Geordie!