An estate agent from Wickford who claims to be able to help anyone buy their first home has praised the Government for sticking with the cut to stamp duty - but said she "doesn't think it'll be enough".

Today, chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a u-turn on much of last month's mini- budget.

He announced that the Government will reverse all the tax measures announced in the mini-budget but a £1.5bn stamp duty cut survived.

Rachel Ollington, 40, an advocate for getting people onto the property ladder, said the move will help people but warned it won't make much difference.

She said: "People are wearier and with the continuous u-turns people are worried in terms of their affordability.

"We have seen mortgage payments rise so sharply, first time buyers are pulling out and not being able to continue with the purchase because of the increase in prices.

"In terms of the economy, the announcement is good. I don't know how much it will help people immediately with the cost of living crisis."

The director of Vesta Sales and Lettings, from Wickford, said the government should go further - with a complete ban on stamp duty for first-time buyers to boost the economy.

"I would like to think it would help a little but I don't think it'll be enough, the stamp duty cut being kept is great but I just don't think it will be enough," she said.

"The past few weeks have put a shock on people and they are reluctant to move."

Rachel suggested further steps the government could take to support first-time buyers.

She said: "I think more support could come more so for first-time buyers - a complete ban on stamp duty for first-time buyers would have been lovely.

"Helping them in terms of the mortgage, better mortgage deals and borrowing, the more we can improve on that the better - I appreciate it is not an easy job and there has got to be a fine balance on what the government can do."

Rachel can be found on Instagram at @all_things_property_with_rach