Stamp Duty Pressure: Berkeley Group urges Chancellor John Healey to cap stamp duty at 1% for first-time buyers and downsizers and scrap the 5% investor surcharge on new-build rentals, arguing it could unlock 60,000 homes a year and deliver a £4.2bn Treasury windfall. Business Rates & Retail Costs: The BRC says UK retail business taxes hit 72p per £1 of profit in 2025/26 and is calling for retail and hospitality to be excluded from the business rates high-value multiplier ahead of the Budget. Damp & Mould Rules in Scotland: New “Awaab’s Law” regulations start in Scotland, setting tight deadlines for landlords to investigate damp and mould and begin repairs. Heritage Under Threat (NI): Northern Ireland listed buildings face risk from “land banking” and high-value drinks licence trading around £100,000. Planning & Conversions (Wales): Flintshire planners receive an application to convert the White Lion Inn in Llanasa from pub to a dwelling, while keeping holiday accommodation. Fraud Watch: ABI reports £1.34bn of fraudulent insurance claims detected in 2025, with travel fraud surging and fraudsters targeting bigger payouts. Local Infrastructure: Lancashire County Council brings forward enabling works for a major A582 junction revamp between Lostock Hall and Preston. Commercial Property: BTG Eddisons markets a £10m freehold 82,776 sq ft warehouse/industrial site near the Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.