Cameron slams stamp duty 'dither'

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The Conservative leader used his monthly press conference to urge the Government to adopt his party's proposals to ease the effect of the credit crunch.

He told reporters: "We said back in October that we would abolish stamp duty for nine out of 10 first time buyers. This was a fully costed tax cut last October so I do not know why the Government is still dithering and not getting on with it."

He went on: "When it comes to the crisis in our housing market they seem intent on making things worse rather than better.

"Their decision to brief out the possibility of a stamp duty holiday was completely reckless.

"Far from bringing up the housing market they've actually frozen it and this tells you everything you need to know about the Government: Press handling and headlines above what is in the best interests of the country."

Estate agents warned last week that the refusal of Chancellor Alistair Darling to confirm or deny plans to suspend stamp duty was hitting sales.

Mr Cameron will meet the National Association of Estate Agents - which he said had three times been refused talks with Government ministers.

"I am going to see them to see how we can move on from this very sorry episode," he said.

The party is also holding a summit with housing professionals to help find ways to boost the mortgage market, avert repossessions and prevent future crises.