GenzeeUK Government Rules Out Scrapping Stamp Duty in the Budget
Homebuyers hoping for a stamp duty overhaul will have to keep waiting. Bloomberg reported on 27 July 2026 that Andy Burnham ruled out changing or scrapping Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in the government's upcoming Budget, rejecting earlier reports that stamp duty and council tax could be merged into a single annual property tax.
Why it was on the table
Speculation about a stamp duty shake-up had been building for months, and a cross-party parliamentary committee has separately called for the government to launch a formal consultation on reforming SDLT by the end of 2026 to improve access to home ownership, according to the same reporting. For now, though, the existing stamp duty bands and rates remain unchanged.
What buyers should do
Because no immediate change is coming, there's no need to delay or rush a property purchase in anticipation of new rules. If you're weighing a mortgage or working out how a big purchase fits your budget, our Loan / EMI Calculator can help you model monthly repayments, and the UK Salary Tax Calculator shows how much take-home pay you actually have to work with.
Note: This is a plain-language summary, not financial advice. Markets, rates and rules can change quickly; do your own research or speak to a licensed adviser before acting. See our editorial policy for how we source and date figures.