The Bank of England's MPC has held the base rate at 4.25% in May 2026. Here's what it means for trackers, SVRs, fixed-rate remortgages, and savings — with numbers on a £200k mortgage.
Beyond the deposit, a UK first-time buyer in 2026 typically spends £4,000–£8,000 in fees, surveys, taxes and moving costs. Here's the full itemised list with realistic numbers on a £250k purchase.
Part 4 of our Spring Budget 2026 deep-dive — SDLT thresholds, first-time buyer relief, second-home surcharges, the housing market response and what it means for buyers, sellers and landlords.
