George Osborne has been tipped to offer lower stamp duty for those at the bottom of the housing ladder, help on petrol prices and a review of business rates for high street shops in his last autumn statement before the election. The chancellor will have little money for giveaways, especially as his deficit figures are expected to be higher than he previously predicted. However, the FT reported that the chancellor is considering an overhaul of stamp duty to allow those buying cheaper properties to pay less and those purchasing more expensive homes to pay more. On business rates, there were reports that the chancellor will order a ... (Read the full story)
