Harriett Baldwin today warmly welcomed new Conservative proposals to exempt first time buyers from stamp duty.

All first time buyers will avoid stamp duty on their first home, provided it costs less than £250,000.

Harriett Baldwin said, "Getting onto the housing ladder has become increasingly difficult for young people in Worcestershire. The average house price in the Malvern Hills District is now well over £200,000. This measure will save people an average of £2,000 each and bring the dream of owning your own home closer. This will make a huge improvement to affordability."

The measure will be paid for by a levy on offshore income on non-domiciled foreigners living in the UK.