Salford has officially taken the number-one spot for house price growth across the UK, with values rising by more than 106% over the last ten years. Manchester follows closely behind with growth of 96%. This is not only exceptional—it is unmatched anywhere else in the country. And sustaining this momentum will require intentional, well-designed policy rather than luck.

“I’ve tracked this market closely for years, and I’m convinced this growth is only the beginning—provided the Government gets the 2025 Autumn Budget right,” says Mish Liyanage, CEO of The Mistoria Group. “Salford and Manchester have outperformed every other region in Britain. But that advantage will disappear quickly if policy fails to support the factors driving that success.”

Below is what Mish believes the Budget must prioritise to keep Greater Manchester’s property market on its upward trajectory:

1. Stamp Duty Reform for Buy-to-Let Investors and First-Time Buyers

“Stamp Duty surcharges have disproportionately punished landlords for too long. Higher rates on second homes and buy-to-let purchases have discouraged investment and pushed responsible operators out of the market. Adjusting these thresholds—especially in regeneration areas—would release capital for reinvestment and help boost rental supply at a time when demand is rising sharply.

“For first-time buyers, increasing the relief threshold would preserve affordability in the lower price bands and support aspiring homeowners rather than locking them out.”

2. Real Regeneration Funding—Not Just Headlines

“The Levelling Up agenda has produced strong headline promises but uneven delivery. What Greater Manchester needs now is targeted regeneration in areas still lagging behind the Salford and Manchester boom—places like Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, and Bury.

“That requires tangible investment: better transport links, revitalised town centres, upgraded amenities, and modern infrastructure. Without it, growth becomes concentrated in a handful of postcodes while the wider region falls behind.”

3. Practical Support for Landlords and Developers Facing New Regulations

“The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces tougher oversight, and many landlords are already planning their exit as a result. That’s the opposite of what the market needs, especially when rental supply is already stretched.

“Tax incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades, or schemes supporting the refurbishment of empty properties, would help offset the regulatory burden. Developers, meanwhile, need reduced planning barriers, tax breaks for brownfield development, and grants that support sustainable construction. These measures would increase housing delivery without pushing additional costs onto buyers.”

4. Investment in the Construction Workforce

“Greater Manchester cannot meet its housing targets without skilled labour—builders, joiners, plumbers, electricians, site managers. The talent shortage is immediate and significant. Funding local apprenticeships, vocational training, and trade programmes would directly accelerate construction timelines and improve affordability. Housing delivery is slow because skilled trades are scarce. Training investment fixes that problem at its source.”

What the 2025 Budget Must Deliver

Salford’s extraordinary 106% price growth reflects successful infrastructure upgrades, a thriving tech and media sector, and surging demand for quality homes. Those conditions are already in place. Now, it’s up to policy to support them—rather than hinder them.

The four priorities above are not complex. They simply require the Chancellor to prioritise growth and practicality over political positioning. If these measures are implemented, Greater Manchester is well-positioned to retain its status as the UK’s fastest-growing regional market.