Stuck in our nest

SIR – Last year the Government asked empty-nesters to downsize, thus freeing up big houses for families.

This year, they have unaccountably increased stamp duty to eye-watering levels for these houses. The result, in our area at least, is complete paralysis of the housing market. We are now stuck in a house we want to leave.

Will we have to wait for stamp duty takings to plummet before they accept they have scored an own goal and restore sensible tax levels? S B Boyles Barnard Castle, Co Durham