Commenting on newly released figures concerning stamp duty on house sales, Mr Mates said the Labour Government's own policies are making the housing market situation worse.

Mr Mates said: "Not only did Gordon Brown introduce higher rates of stamp duty he also failed to increase the stamp duty thresholds for the three per cent and four per cent rates in line with the rise in prices, resulting in many more people having to pay stamp duty.

"East Hampshire has been particularly hard hit.

"The average detached home across the country now has to pay three per cent stamp duty, and has seen its stamp duty bill rise by almost £9,000 under Labour.

"But here in East Hampshire that increase is over £11,000 and of course the consequence of not increasing the thresholds is that many more East Hampshire families have to pay this tax than would have done so in the past.

"Almost three-quarters of family homes in England are now caught by higher rate stamp duty compared to none when Labour came to power.

"The average detached house price in East Hampshire has risen from £143,949 in 1997 to £417,668 in 2007, which has meant an increase in stamp duty from £1,439 to a whopping £12,530.

"I have called for the government to do more to help homeowners who need to move in this difficult market.

"They should immediately scrap the red tape associated with Home Information Packs and cut stamp duty for first time buyers."