Since then there's been an overwhelming response with over 2,000 members of the public calling into the West Brom's 48 branches to sign petition forms in support of Andrew's national Stamp Duty campaign.
Andrew was bitterly disappointed for first-time buyers and people on low incomes after the level at which Stamp Duty is paid was, once again, frozen by the Chancellor in this year's budget.
At present, the first band of Stamp Duty is charged at 1% on properties over £60,000. Because of the rise in house prises in recent years, virtually every property is now hit by Stamp Duty.
Andrew felt that many would-be first time buyers simply could not afford to enter the housing market given rising house prices and the legacy of student debt. Those that struggle through to purchase their first home are punished by a large tax bill. This, he argues, is grossly unfair and totally contrary to the Government's stated position of encouraging home ownership.
Nevertheless, Andrew is heartened by the public response. He said: "There has been a fantastic response to this campaign in such a short space of time. I know there is a long way to go in our bid to achieve the kind of impact necessary to encourage the Chancellor to raise the threshold on Stamp Duty , but I believe we have made an excellent start".
The West Brom's campaign already includes:
* An on-line petition on www.westbrom.co.uk
* Petitions in each of the Society's 48 branches.
* Posters in West Brom branches highlighting the issue. These will be made available to individuals and organisations that wish to support the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Society is currently writing to other stakeholder
organisations within the business and property market to support the campaign.
Andrew Messenger aims to hand the petitions into Downing Street prior to the Autumn Budget announcement. However, the 'Raise the Roof' campaign will continue beyond the autumn if the Chancellor fails to make an announcement regarding the abolition or raising of the threshold on Stamp Duty in his
pre-budget statement.
