It's funny how you can read one thing, but hear something else entirely.

Hugely hypocritical too. Look at any private school prospectus and they will invariably lead with their world class theatre and music facilities. It's hugely important for themselves, just not anyone else.

My last attempt and I'll leave you to it. Stamp duty is galling at the best of times, more so when you're a reluctant seller, which people that age are. It's a symbolic, polite nudge to highlight your rooms are going to waste. Also... bungalows / garden flats are ££££!

Like I said though, unqualified opinion, not my field at all. Just dealing with two sets of parents at that time of life where the family 'core' shifts from their generation to ours (i.e. who hosts the Xmas's now!) wondering how you turn 'who *should* have the spare rooms by now' into gov policy!

I just think of my Mums house, and the neighbours to the sides x2 and the couple of neighbours over the road I know of. All 3/4 bedroom houses have been occupied by elderly single/couples for at least 15 years. Because they love their homes so much is why they need any incentives available.

Removing stamp duty for those wanting to downsize would be my unqualified suggestion. I think would be generally popular and perhaps turn the property ladder notion into something a little more cyclical.