Barratt Homes sends message to Chancellor in Metro advert

by Louisa Barnett, Brand Republic 07-Aug-08, 11:00

LONDON - Barratt Homes has placed a tactical ad in today's Metro newspaper riding on the back of news reports indicating the Government is considering measures to alleviate the burden of stamp duty.

The full-page advert sends a message to the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, saying: "Don't worry Darling, we're already paying stamp duty for our buyers."

It then goes on to say: "Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, is considering a plan which allows homebuyers to put off paying their stamp duty.

"We're wondering what took him so long. At Barratt we're already helping people move: we could pay your stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs - without asking for a penny of it back."

Last week the Chancellor said he was "looking at a number of measures" that could form part of the Government's much-vaunted recovery plan for the economy, due to be announced after ministers return to work after their summer holidays.

One of the key components is reported to be a temporary scrapping of the stamp duty paid by people buying houses, in an attempt to revive the country's falling housing market.

As Barratt's ad states, the home builder offers a number of deals to help first-time buyers or those wishing to move up the property ladder including paying stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs.

David Child, sales director for Barratt, said: "We know that people who want to move house may be put off by what they hear at the moment about money worries and difficulties finding a buyer."