Thursday 15th March 2007
This months Budget could be the final opportunity to help first-time buyers on to the housing ladder, according to independent mortgage adviser John Charcol.
The firm suggests that by shifting current stamp duty levels, chancellor Gordon Brown could increase affordability for first-time buyers.
However, the company stated that it does not anticipate that this will take place, as there was no indication that it would occur in the pre-Budget report.
Ray Boulger, senior technical manager at John Charcol, said: "Based on past form all we can expect from our chancellor is yet another lost opportunity to provide some meaningful help to first-time buyers."
"Whilst Gordon Brown claims he wants to make our tax system fairer, his track record on stamp duty land tax proves the opposite," he added.
Mr Boulger did express support for the proposal to introduce a five per cent top rate of tax for properties in excess of £1 million, which he said is a rumour which has "recently been circulating".
John Charcol states that it has nine branches nationwide and employs about 200 people.
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