A Steadier Backdrop for the Wokingham Market
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, used this year’s Spring Statement to steady the ship rather than introduce new measures — and for the housing market, that restraint will likely be welcomed.
There were no surprise tax changes, no dramatic housing interventions and no sudden policy shifts.
Instead, the focus was on reinforcing economic stability and signalling continued progress on inflation and the public finances.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility:
- Inflation is forecast to fall from 3.4% in 2025 to 2.3% in 2026, returning to the Government’s 2% target by late 2026.
- Growth for 2026 has been revised slightly down from 1.3% to 1.1%.
- Unemployment is expected to peak at 5.3% this year.
- Government borrowing is forecast to be nearly £18bn lower than previously predicted, increasing fiscal headroom to almost £24bn.
- Overall, the message was one of gradual improvement and cautious optimism.
For the property market, that matters. Predictability is often more valuable than intervention.
As Nick Harris - Co-founder at Quarters comments:
“After the turbulence we saw following the Autumn Budget, what the Wokingham market needs now is consistency - steady policy, steady rates and fewer surprises. In towns like ours, confidence is everything. When people feel secure in the wider economic picture, they’re far more comfortable making long-term decisions about moving. This felt like a step towards that stability - and that’s encouraging.”
In markets like Wokingham, momentum isn’t driven by headlines- it’s driven by confidence. When buyers and sellers feel assured about the wider economic direction, decision-making becomes clearer and chains move more smoothly.
The OBR has warned that escalating tensions in the Middle East could have “very significant impacts on the global and UK economies.” Rising wholesale gas prices and upward pressure on government bond yields could, if sustained, influence mortgage pricing later this year.
These are factors worth keeping an eye on — but they do not change the central takeaway from this Spring Statement: continuity over disruption.
If you're considering a move in Wokingham, do contact Nick Harris or Teresa Ling at Quarters - we're here to help.
