Reacting to reports in today’s media that the Government is considering a stamp duty holiday, Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at the Home Builders Federation (HBF) said, “This is something the HBF has been championing for a number of months as one of a range of proposals to invigorate the housing market. It is a welcome initiative and shows that Minsters appreciate the problems the current housing market situation is causing people looking to buy and sell properties, and the impact it is having on the wider economy. However, if it is to deliver the desired benefits, it needs to form part of a coordinated package of measures implemented quickly. These need to include action to get liquidity back in to the mortgage market, as well as further steps to assist first time buyers and moves to ensure much needed housing production is maintained. ” - Ends - Notes to Editors: 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner 020 7960 1606 07919 307 760 steve.turner@hbf.co.uk
