To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of first-time house buyers were exempted from stamp duty land tax in each year since 1997, broken down by region. (116823)

HMRC administrative systems do not identify whether a stamp duty land taxpayer is a first time buyer and nor do they distinguish house purchases from other residential transactions. It is not therefore possible to derive regional percentages. However, it is estimated that over half of all first time home buyers are exempt from stamp duty, taking into account the £125,000 starting threshold and the enhanced £150,000 threshold which is available in 2,000 disadvantaged wards.