- Chancellor Rachel Reeves has proposed a property tax on homes valued over £500,000, which is being criticised as a "tax on ordinary Londoners".
- The plan would replace existing stamp duty for first homes, introducing a tax on sale for properties above £500,000 and an annual levy for buyers of such homes.
- Estate agent Simon Gerrard warned the change would hinder families buying in London, where average property prices are higher, and could distort the housing market.
- Critics suggest the levy, aimed at wealth from rising house prices, might cause sellers to increase asking prices to offset the new tax burden.
- The proposals, informed by a think tank report, are under consideration, with no final decisions made by the Treasury.
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