Intelligence Talks

Carol Lewis, Property Editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, explains how to navigate the flood of property headlines in the run-up to November’s Budget. Carol speaks to Tom about the Treasury’s use of “trial balloon” tax stories, why house price data often looks contradictory, and how readers can distinguish speculation from fact. She also gives a behind-the-scenes view of how the media prepares for Budget day, stressing the journalist’s role as messenger rather than market shaper.

Former No.10 policy insider James Nation joins Tom to decode the run-in to the 26 November Budget: OBR round-one forecasts, the 10-year gilt “observation window”, and why a productivity downgrade matters for the property market. We ask how credible this summer’s property tax rumours feel, possible sweeteners, and what a “successful” Budget looks like. Plus: Treasury vs Downing St culture, Labour’s deputy leadership race and whether Starmer and Reeves are still in post next year.

This week, head of UK residential research Tom Bill is joined by financial market analyst Michael Brown from Pepperstone to assess the state of property and bond markets ahead of November’s Budget. Borrowing costs have been climbing in recent weeks for a number of reasons that include a lack of credibility on financial markets that the government has a coherent plan. Property taxes have been floated as one solution but some ideas are more convincing than others. Michael offers his own five-point plan for the government to follow in order to regain the trust of markets – but it would involve some difficult decisions. Whether you are buying, selling, remortgaging or scrolling to see what your house is worth, there are key insights on offer to provide you with the bigger picture.Subscribe to Knight Franks research note here: https://preferences.knightfrank.com/subscribe-to-research?_gl=1*19v1skm*_gcl_au*NDIxNTA1ODA3LjE3NTUyNjc3ODg.

What would happen if the rich left the UK? In this episode of Intelligence Talks, host Tom Bill is joined by Leslie MacLeod-Miller, CEO of Foreign Investors for Britain to dig into what the governments changes in taxation mean for non-doms, and what the knock on affect could be for the rest of the country.Listen to find out what Leslie thinks needs to happen to keep money in the UK and what impact tax changes are already having on the UK prime market.Subscribe to Knight Franks research note here: https://preferences.knightfrank.com/subscribe-to-research?_gl=1*19v1skm*_gcl_au*NDIxNTA1ODA3LjE3NTUyNjc3ODg.

This week; sticky inflation, bond market reactions, and the government's role in the property market. We look at recent economic data showing weak growth and high inflation, and try to unpick the implications for the housing market such as increased supply and mortgage rates, and the challenges faced by policymakers. We also look at the US trade deals and Federal Reserve decisions, providing insights into how these factors could affect both the UK and global economies. Host Tom Bill is joined by seasoned financial market analyst Michael Brown from Pepperstone to give some clarity amidst economic uncertainty.

This week we discuss how global market volatility is reshaping investment strategies, specifically on the growing popularity of the built to rent sector. Special guests Nick Pleydell-Bouverie, Head of Residential Investment, and Lizzie Breckner, Head of Build to Rent Research, highlight significant milestones, such as a rise in single family and co-living investments, and discuss the impact of policy changes and construction challenges on the sector. 

This week, head of UK residential research Tom Bill is joined by financial market strategist Michael Brown from Pepperstone to assess the state of the UK housing market at the halfway point of the year. With the Bank of England cutting rates twice in the first six months of 2025, Michael explains why more cuts could be on the way before Christmas. They also unpack what the end of Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause could mean for the UK, and how recent weak economic data is shaping expectations for interest rates. Plus, they explore the government’s shrinking financial headroom ahead of this autumn’s Budget — and the tough decisions facing the Chancellor. Whether you’re buying, selling or re-mortgaging, this episode offers key insights into what’s coming next.

This week we unpack the evolving UK planning landscape. From the implications of Gateway Two and the Building Safety Act to recent updates in the National Planning Policy Framework. Host Katie O'Neill is joined by Chris Benham, Oliver Knight, and Alan McCartney to explore what these changes mean for developers, investors, and the future of urban delivery. They also dive into the shifting role of amenity spaces—why practicality is taking priority over luxury. Plus, don’t miss the 'Bullish and Bearish' segment, where the guests share what’s driving their optimism or caution in London’s housing market.

We explore how Britain could benefit from a rise in international students after Trump’s second presidency. We also delve into the latest UCAS application data for 2025, plus key investment and development trends. Anna is joined by Neil Armstrong and Merelina Sykes, joint heads of Knight Frank student property.Produced by Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.