Over a third (35%) of property professional in the UK have said they would like to see the reintroduction of help-to-buy or a Government-led initiative to boost the new build and first-time buyer (FTB) marketplace.

A webinar poll by Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) asked over 300 people in the industry what they want to see most from the Chancellor in the upcoming Budget.

Over a third (35%) of respondents replied with help-to-buy or something to support new build customers and FTBs.

Just over one in five (22%) sought a stamp duty holiday or reduction, while 17% opted for an inheritance tax cut.

A further 16% chose stamp duty changes for downsizers and 10% elected for additional landlord support.

The webinar also focused on the General Election, the potential impact of a Labour victory and, if this were to happen, what the party’s housing-related priority might be.

An increased supply of social housing (43%) was the most popular response, followed by improved planning processes in local Government to increase housing supply (13%).

Furthermore, 11% said that Labour should focus on increasing viability for more FTBs to own their first home, while the same amount responded said that there needs to be increased tenant protection in terms of no-fault evictions.

The options of preventing tenants living in sub-standard accommodation and making more empty properties available to live in both received 10% of the responses, while the removal of section 21 recorded 2% of the responses.

Director of technical services at CSS, Martyn Stones, said: "It’s clear from these results that the industry is looking for the Government to generate some additional assistance when it comes to opening the doors for more FTBs and in helping to bridge the gaping supply gap which continues to widen, especially from an affordability perspective. And I’m sure this applies to whichever party happens to be in power.

"The upcoming Budget has the potential to have a major influence on the housing and mortgage markets and it will be interesting to see what, if any, of the highlighted measures come into effect and their short, medium or longer-term impact."

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