Scottish Broker Calls for First-Time Buyer Support Ahead of Scottish Budget
We're proud to share that our director, Alan MacKenzie, has once again been featured in Mortgage Introducer, this time sharing his views on what the Scottish Government's upcoming Budget should prioritise for homebuyers and landlords across Scotland.
A gap left by withdrawn schemes
Alan's comments were sought as Finance Secretary Shona Robison prepares to deliver what will be her final Budget before stepping down from both government and the Scottish Parliament — a Budget being shaped against some of the toughest fiscal conditions Holyrood has faced in years.
For Alan, the priority is clear: first-time buyers need to be at the top of the agenda.
"Support for first-time buyers would make the biggest difference for my clients. Schemes such as the First Home Fund and Help to Buy were very successful and are sorely missed, as many people still need to rely on the bank of mum and dad to get a deposit together."
The withdrawal of flagship support schemes has left a real gap for aspiring homeowners who don't have family wealth to fall back on — and Alan's clients are feeling it.
The bigger picture at Holyrood
The article sets out the challenging fiscal backdrop Robison faces. The Scottish Fiscal Commission has warned that spending commitments are on course to outstrip available funds by £4.7 billion within four years, with capital budgets under particular strain. Against that pressure, calls for housing support must compete with demands from local authorities, homelessness charities, and housebuilders — all pushing for their own slice of a tight settlement.
Relief for landlords
Alongside support for first-time buyers, Alan flagged concerns about the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) and the uncertainty it creates for smaller landlords, particularly those entering the limited company buy-to-let market.
"For landlords, the additional dwelling supplement creates a lot of uncertainty, so any relief here, particularly for first-time limited company buy-to-let investors, would be very welcome."
Sentiment on the ground is improving
Despite the political noise around Holyrood's finances, Alan noted that most of his clients aren't losing sleep over the Budget itself — and encouragingly, the start of 2025 has brought a noticeable upturn in activity.
"Overall, we're not seeing clients overly concerned about the Scottish Budget itself; most of the nervousness came from last year's announcements down south. This January has been our busiest for a long time, which hopefully suggests people are ready to move on with their lives and their homes."
What this means for you
Whether you're a first-time buyer trying to get onto the property ladder, or a landlord navigating an uncertain tax environment, the decisions made at Holyrood this year could have a real impact on your plans.
At Your Next Step, we stay close to the market and policy landscape so we can give you the clearest, most up-to-date advice possible. If you'd like to talk through your options, get in touch with our team — we're here to help.
👉 Read the full article on Mortgage Introducer: Scottish broker urges Budget focus on first-time buyers
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The Bank of England's decision to cut its base rate to 3.75% arrived without drama — but its importance, according to brokers across the industry, runs deeper than the headline number. With much of the market's pricing already adjusted ahead of the announcement, the real significance lies in what the decision signals about the direction of travel for borrowers and lenders alike.
For Alan, the cut represents a meaningful moment of reassurance following a prolonged period of economic uncertainty:
"The Bank of England's base rate cut has indeed been anticipated, especially given the recent improvements in inflation. It's definitely welcome news and offers a positive outlook for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026."
Alan also highlighted what the cut could mean for product competition between lenders — something that directly benefits clients looking for the best deal on their mortgage:
"We're optimistic that this may encourage lenders to reprice their products, further boosting the mortgage market and supporting its ongoing recovery."
What the wider industry is saying
Alan's comments were featured alongside reactions from brokers across the country, painting a broader picture of cautious optimism within the industry. While most welcomed the cut, several advisers noted it was a closer vote than expected — with only five of the nine Monetary Policy Committee members backing the reduction, a reminder that the committee remains measured in its approach even as economic conditions improve.
On the immediate impact, tracker mortgage borrowers are expected to see the benefit straight away, though the consensus is that the bigger effect will be felt through a boost in market confidence. Fixed-rate pricing, which tends to move ahead of base rate decisions, had already been adjusted by many lenders prior to the announcement — meaning the cut serves more as confirmation of the trend than a sudden shift in the landscape.
Looking ahead, there's a growing sense across the industry that if this easing momentum continues, 2026 could shape up to be a strong year for both the housing and mortgage markets — with lower rates easing affordability pressures and encouraging buyers who have been sitting on the fence to make their move.
What this means for you
Whether you're a first-time buyer, looking to remortgage, or exploring your options, base rate movements can have a real impact on the deals available to you. At Your Next Step, we monitor the market closely so you don't have to — and we're here to help you navigate these changes with clear, honest advice.
If you'd like to understand how the latest rate cut could affect your mortgage, get in touch with our team for a no-obligation conversation.