New Budget on 11th March - Stamp Duty question

MovingOnStartingANew

Hi all, just a random question.  I exchange on the 11th March, with completion on the 16th.  A new budget is being announced on the 11th March, with a potential change for Stamp Duty.  How long would it take for any changes to be rolled out?  Would they be considered to be applicable from then, or would it take months for the changes to take affect?
Thanks!

NewShadow

Budget changes normally come into force from the new FY unless stated otherwise - so 6 April - sometimes, rarely, they're immediate; sometimes there's a delay of some months. 

BlueC

Nobody knows, but in the past some stamp duty changes have been with immediate effect.

pinkteapot

NewShadow said:

Budget changes normally come into force from the new FY unless stated otherwise - so 6 April - sometimes, rarely, they're immediate; sometimes there's a delay of some months. 

Reductions in stamp duty normally take effect immediately. If they were announced but not effective till 6 April the market would stall as no-one would want to complete till then.

Brock_and_Roll

Given the governments fiscal position and spending plans, I certainly would not want to wager even a fiver on their being any reductions in Stamp Duty - especially as this Government want to be seen to be party for the whole country with a cut being potentially viewed as a sop to the South of England.