The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has called for government measures to further aid the housing market recovery and avoid sending Britain into a ‘W’ shaped recession.

The NAEA, in a submission delivered to Downing Street, wants the government to immediately extend the current stamp duty holiday and conduct a longer-term review into the function of stamp duty.

It also wants Alistair Darling to intervene in the mortgage markets to encourage banks to lend again, improve access to finance for first time buyers and suspend Home Information Packs.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents, said: “The current stamp duty holiday