Six per cent of local authorities in the UK account for more than a quarter (26 per cent) of revenue from stamp duty, it has emerged.

Research conducted by Halifax reveals that the property tax is imposed primarily in the south-east.

Of the ten local authorities which generated more than £50 million in stamp duty revenues in 2006-07, nine were in London.

And of the 25 which top the list, all but four - Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Leeds - are in the south-east.

Many Britons looking to buy a property could need to turn to a homeowner loan as a means of meeting the cost of stamp duty.

Halifax chief economist Martin Ellis comments: "There were some very steep increases in residential stamp duty revenue at a local level in the last financial year.

"More than one in seven local authorities saw at least a 50 per cent increase in the amount paid by homebuyers in their area."

Independent mortgage broker John Charcol called for a multi-tiered approach to stamp duty to be adopted but observed that it is "unrealistic" to expect the tax to be abolished completely.

For individuals who need extra funds to cover stamp duty costs, a homeowner loan could be the best solution.ADNFCR-1287-ID-18334520-ADNFCR

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