An immediate stamp duty holiday is needed

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) joins the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in calling for a temporary stamp duty holiday.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said:

“A temporary stamp duty holiday would encourage new build sales and release some much needed cashflow back to our struggling housebuilders. It would also ensure vital businesses, such as surveyors and conveyancers, are able to continue operating in these difficult times. We support it.”

The Government recommends that construction continues and it is also supporting house moves, where the process has already begun, or where homes are vacant. The option of a stamp duty holiday is therefore sensible and immediately deliverable, as are campaigns to defer planning contributions and council tax on vacant new builds, as well as extend planning permissions by 12 months.

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy at the House Builders Association (HBA), the housebuilding division of the NFB, said:

“Housebuilders, many of whom are struggling to get lending from the Government CBILS scheme, are still expected to pay bills, their staff and the supply chain but with reduced or no revenues. A temporary stamp duty holiday is another immediately deliverable solution that the Government should pursue. Any delay in increasing support to our industry will see businesses go to the wall and once one goes, the domino effect will be striking.”

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

footfall falls
Breaking News

Comment on inflation rising to 3.3%

Industry reaction to inflation rising to 3.3% Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners, said: “Today’s uptick in UK inflation will raise fresh concerns across the property market, which is still waiting for the full economic impact of the Iran conflict to feed through. Households, buyers and developers recognise that current data is unlikely…
Read More
Breaking News

London remains top marathon city for property values

Mayfair tops table for the world’s most expensive marathon neighbourhood as London remains priciest race city The latest analysis from Enness Global has revealed that London is currently the most expensive property market of any city hosting a World Marathon Major, with Mayfair also ranking as the world’s most expensive marathon neighbourhood for those wanting…
Read More
Breaking News

HMRC ramps up scrutiny of residential property valuations as it cracks down on inheritance tax avoidance

  Taxman’s requests for help from the Valuation Office Agency with property valuations in IHT returns rises nearly 25% Rise reflects HMRC’s increased efforts to recover revenue from underreported and misvalued estates.   HM Revenue & Customs is increasingly challenging residential property valuations in inheritance tax (IHT) returns, with the number of cases referred to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 22/4/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The Building Centre launches ‘Small Scale Big Ideas’ a month-long exhibition What architecture can achieve when scale is a discipline, not a constraint.   The Building Centre is pleased to announce Small Scale Big Ideas, a major exhibition and public programme running throughout May 2026…
Read More
Commercial Agent Talk

London office workers want better workspaces, not free lunches

The latest research by BPS London has found that London office workers are more interested in better quality workspaces than superficial perks such as free breakfasts and lunches, with 63% saying they would be more willing to work from the office more regularly if their workplace was more modern, comfortable and better equipped. BPS London commissioned a…
Read More
Breaking News

The hottest prime property markets outside of London

The latest analysis from Enness Global has revealed that whilst London continues to dominate England’s prime property market, Elmbridge ranks as the nation’s leading hotspot outside of the capital when it comes to homes sold for £3m or more. Enness Global analysed Land Registry transaction data, looking at where homes sold for £3m or more…
Read More