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Ministers have 'frozen' housing Ministers have 'frozen' housing
(30 minutes later)
David Cameron has attacked the government for "completely reckless" briefing that stamp duty could be axed temporarily to boost house sales. David Cameron has attacked the government for a "completely reckless" briefing that stamp duty could be axed temporarily to boost house sales.
"Far from freeing up the housing market, they have actually frozen it," the Conservative leader told reporters."Far from freeing up the housing market, they have actually frozen it," the Conservative leader told reporters.
He said he would be in talks with the National Association of Estate Agents - a body he claimed the government had refused to meet three times. He is holding talks later with the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) - a body he claims the government has refused to meet.
It comes after Alistair Darling refused to rule out changes to stamp duty.It comes after Alistair Darling refused to rule out changes to stamp duty.
Mr Cameron, who has returned to the political frontline, following a Cornish holiday, is set to meet with housing trusts, academics and house builders to discuss the property market. Estate agents have already warned that uncertainty over the government's policy on the tax could cause people to delay buying houses.
Leak inquiry?
Speculation was fuelled by a report in last Tuesday's Sun newspaper that the government planned to offer a holiday from stamp duty payments to revive the flagging sector.
When tackled about the story on Wednesday's Today programme, Mr Darling said a "number of measures" were being considered - but the government had come to no conclusions.
The Treasury later issued a statement saying: "Recent news stories suggesting the government has put forward a proposal on stamp duty are simply wrong. These stories are based on speculation."
Their decision to brief out the possibility of a stamp duty holiday was completely reckless David CameronConservative leader
According to some reports, the original briefing came from Downing Street and was aimed at undermining Mr Darling - something firmly denied by Number 10.
Mr Cameron, who has returned to the political frontline, following a holiday in Cornwall, said the debacle showed the government was more interested in "press handling and headlines than what is in the best interests of the country".
"When it comes to the crisis in our housing market they seem intent on making things worse rather than better," he said.
"Their decision to brief out the possibility of a stamp duty holiday was completely reckless - far from freeing-up the housing market they've actually frozen it.
"Have they even got a leak inquiry to find out how this was briefed out? I think not. I think they know exactly where it came from."
Mr Cameron, who will tour marginal constituencies in the North West of England before resuming his summer break with a holiday in Turkey next week, is set to meet with housing trusts, city economists, academics and house builders to discuss the property market.
'Deep hole''Deep hole'
This would include looking at the mortgage market, repossessions and the housing supply, he said. The group will look at the mortgage market, repossessions and the housing supply, he said.
"We won't be announcing any conclusions today. We won't be briefing out thoughts today. It is to engage with the experts," he added. "We won't be announcing any conclusions today. We won't be briefing out thoughts today. This is a seminar to look at the issues - it's to engage with the experts to help us develop our policies," he added.
Estate agents have already warned that the uncertainty could cause people to delay buying houses.
The monthly briefing comes as ex-local government minister Nick Raynsford accused Labour of being in a "deep hole" and warned that attempts to "buy" support would only invite contempt.The monthly briefing comes as ex-local government minister Nick Raynsford accused Labour of being in a "deep hole" and warned that attempts to "buy" support would only invite contempt.
Writing on newstatesman.com, Mr Raynsford accused the government of a "frantic search" for vote-winning ideas.Writing on newstatesman.com, Mr Raynsford accused the government of a "frantic search" for vote-winning ideas.
He failed to mention Gordon Brown, but praised the call by Foreign Secretary David Miliband to "start winning the argument over our record".He failed to mention Gordon Brown, but praised the call by Foreign Secretary David Miliband to "start winning the argument over our record".
Mr Miliband fuelled speculation over the Labour leadership when he penned an article two weeks ago calling on colleagues to have the confidence to make their case afresh - but without making a reference to the prime minister once.Mr Miliband fuelled speculation over the Labour leadership when he penned an article two weeks ago calling on colleagues to have the confidence to make their case afresh - but without making a reference to the prime minister once.
The prime minister, who is on holiday, is expected to launch a fightback in September.The prime minister, who is on holiday, is expected to launch a fightback in September.