"At the 2025 Conservative Party Conference, Kemi Badenoch announced that the next Conservative government would abolish stamp duty on primary residences. The tax, which currently generates around £8.6 billion a year for the Treasury, would remain for second homes, corporate buyers, and non-UK residents. Badenoch framed the move as a way to make homeownership more accessible, particularly for first-time buyers."
"Badenoch positioned the policy as a step toward a fairer housing market, calling stamp duty a "bad tax" that impedes social mobility. She argued that previous adjustments to thresholds had not gone far enough, and that fully removing the tax on primary residences could unlock allow more people to buy a home. Speaking to a conference audience, she said the plan would help first-time buyers and young families, while reiterating that the revenue loss would be offset by £47 billion in planned spending cuts."
"The proposed abolition would apply only to primary residences. Second homes, company purchases, and properties bought by non-UK residents would still incur stamp duty. Funding would come from government spending cuts in areas including welfare, foreign aid, and the civil service. Supporters argue the change could stimulate market activity by removing one of the largest upfront costs for buyers. However, the policy would mainly benefit buyers of mid- to higher-priced homes, as first-time buyers already benefit from existing exemptions on lower-cost properties."
Kemi Badenoch announced that a next Conservative government would abolish stamp duty on primary residences while retaining it for second homes, corporate buyers, and non-UK residents. The tax currently raises about £8.6 billion annually for the Treasury. The measure is described as a way to improve access to homeownership for first-time buyers and young families, with stamp duty labelled a "bad tax" that impedes social mobility. The government plans to offset lost revenue with £47 billion in spending cuts across welfare, foreign aid, and the civil service. Supporters foresee increased market activity; critics note larger gains for mid- and higher-priced buyers.
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