Daniel Austin

AI is now a core driver of transformation in financial services, reshaping the foundations of real estate lending. Over 85% of UK lenders now deploy AI tools to streamline operations and improve decision-making, according to AllAboutAI.com. For a sector long criticised for rigid risk models and slow processes, this is transformative.

After exactly one year of the new Labour government, its biggest failures relating to the property market are a lack of incentives for developers and investors and an ineffective planning reform, despite manifesto promises. This is according to a survey* with HNW private clients, carried out in June 2025 by specialist real estate lender and investment platform, ASK Partners (‘ASK’). 

As Trump’s economic agenda resurfaces rooted in protectionism, tariffs, and "America First" rhetoric, markets are experiencing renewed and significant volatility. While the goal may be to repatriate jobs and capital, the reality could mirror his first term: supply chain disruption, retaliatory tariffs, inflation, and ultimately, a loss of investor confidence.

Dear next government, Housing is at the centre of the election battleground. This is unsurprising given the economic uncertainty and that history shows that housing tends to lead the wider economy both into and out of downturns. We have recently seen small rises in house prices and mortgage approval rates to prove there are some green shoots but without some major changes it doesn’t look like we can build our way out of this recession. We have a fundamental issue of a lack of homes for rent and for sale i

Whilst buy-to-let investors are benefitting from double digit increases in rents across the UK, the cost of higher interest rates and the increased tax burden, means we’d expect many private investors continue to exit the market. In addition, we have seen the closure of many open and closed-ended property funds which have suffered from the issue of a liquidity mismatch. This will strengthen the appeal of investment in real estate debt which can give investors the chance to build a varied portfolio and the