The Chancellor has not suddenly changed who he is; he has carefully analysed the issues we face and plotted out a course of action to build a Britain fit for the future.
Plus: We need a Housing Minister who will do for new homes what Michael Heseltine did with development corporations in the 1980s.
The lack of a Conservative Commons majority prevented the Chancellor from doing much more than playing it safe – which he did effectively.
Hammond’s plan – from abolishing Stamp Duty for most first-time buyers, through to reforms to help Universal Credit recipients.
“A temporary stamp duty holiday would only help those who are ready to purchase now and would offer nothing for the many who will need to save for years.”
Given the resistance of Tory MPs to spending cuts and tax rises, Hammond’s easiest course would be to push any into the future. But this wouldn’t be problem-free…
Targeting stamp duty and tuition fees could be less effective than technical education and the right industrial policy.
This proposal already has considerable support from institutions, including the Yorkshire Building Society, who have published research into the benefits this change would bring.
The Government could make it much easier for older people to downsize by providing a Stamp Duty exemption.
Stamp Duty punishes those who could help free up the housing supply.
The Chancellor has not always been well treated by his neighbour, and deserves support over public spending. But he has mishandled his internal position over Brexit.
Recent attacks on private landlords are restricting housing supply, hurting investors, and will push up rents.
He could commit to some tangible metrics – i.e: reducing the tax code in length by 25 per cent by 2019, or pledging to abolish three taxes in each budget.
It continues to clear the deficit, prepare for Brexit, and back our businesses with the support they need to boost productivity.