George Osborne’s buy-to-let raid risks damaging UK economy

George Osborne’s multi-billion-pound raid on landlords risks damaging Britain’s economic recovery, according to a committee of MPs. The Commons Treasury select committee (TSC) said the Chancellor’s measures to curb the buy-to-let housing market could cost jobs and put a brake on growth.

The cross-party committee said a new stamp duty “surcharge” on buy-to-let properties and second homes from April was likely to result in a reduction in the supply of privately rented homes and push up rents. This could lead to fewer jobs being created as people find it harder to relocate for work, it claimed.

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