"Stamp duty plans do not go far enough" says MP

4.12.40pm GMT Tue 2nd Sep 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has spoken out over the Government's stamp duty freeze, announcing that it will do little to help the people of the South Lakes. Statistics released last week have shown that the average house price within our area is a staggering £244, 016. The Government's proposal is that home buyers will not have to pay stamp duty for properties with values under £175,000, in an attempt to kick start a stagnating market.

Speaking this afternoon, Mr Farron said: "Gordon Brown today has brought out ill conceived polices. Only a small number of first time buyers will benefit from today's announcement and instead of proposing these he should have offered a more holistic package of reforms to help everyone no matter their position on the housing ladder.

"Stamp duty removal is greatly needed but we have a greater concern. We need affordable housing that caters for the demands of local people, especially the young. On the door step I hear many cases of people's friends and family members who cannot find homes within our community, and it is one of my priorities to lobby the government to make affordable housing the norm not the exception in our area."