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Property Taxes 2025-09-03
03 September 2025
Lead MP
Mel Stride
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Mel Stride raised concerns about property taxes 2025-09-03 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government is considering increasing taxes on property, despite the Prime Minister's previous commitment not to impose Capital Gains Tax on primary residences. The motion calls for no introduction of an annual property levy, higher Council Tax rates, or a land value tax. It also opposes lowering Inheritance Tax thresholds or changing inheritance rules.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Agrees with the lead MP that decisive action is needed at the Budget, particularly on spending and welfare reform to restore market confidence.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends the motion for highlighting concerns about property taxes affecting those who have scrimped and saved for their houses. Expresses concern that middle-class homeowners are being targeted by Labour tax policy.
Helena Dollimore
Lab/Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Defends the Government's actions, noting interest rates have been cut five times since Labour came to power, saving families money. Argues that inflation is rising due to factors beyond tax policy.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Highlights the impact of tax rises on businesses and families. Criticises the Deputy Prime Minister for avoiding taxes, calling it hypocrisy from a party that demands resignation over lower offences.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Encourages Conservatives to introduce new planning categories to manage second homes in national parks. Criticises the Deputy Prime Minister for not delivering more homes, failing to meet housing targets.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Questions whether the Chancellor is solely responsible for rising bond yields globally and challenges the link between current economic issues and government fiscal policy.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Evans notes that stagflation is leading to job losses and unemployment increases under the Labour Government. He calls for drastic changes in policy to improve economic conditions, highlighting the negative impact on growth prospects.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Cross highlights concerns about proposed changes to inheritance tax, particularly the lifetime limit, which would affect family farms and businesses' ability to plan for future taxes. She calls on the Minister to rule out such measures.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Murrison suggests considering indexation allowance as mitigation if capital gains tax is imposed on principal private residences, reflecting concerns about property owners' financial burden under proposed reforms.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Pakes counters that the Conservative party wants spending without funding for delivery. He points out that the national insurance increase disproportionately affects low-income individuals and raises questions about cuts to public services under Conservative plans.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Critiques the Conservative party for supporting a regressive council tax system. He cites an example of a former Conservative leader in Hartlepool raising council tax on deprived people.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Questions Sir Mel Stride about blocking Hampshire county council’s proposal to increase the council tax by 15%. He calls for condemnation of such a proposal.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Disputes the claim that Labour-controlled local authorities charge higher council taxes, citing Milton Keynes as an example of lower taxes than surrounding Conservative-run areas.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Challenges the shadow Chancellor for not commenting on actual proposals like Hampshire’s 15% increase in council tax and argues that the debate is based on media speculation rather than real policy announcements.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Condemned the Conservative Party for underfunding public services and undermining HMRC operations by cutting staff numbers. Raised concerns about inherited financial issues.
Defended government's efforts to address tax gaps, highlighted plans to raise £7.5 billion in additional revenue through hiring more HMRC personnel and technological upgrades. Emphasised the previous government’s fiscal irresponsibility.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked questions challenging the government's ability to manage public finances effectively, focusing on issues of underinvestment and tax evasion by second home owners.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Acknowledged the positive impact of fiscal rules introduced by the government, citing specific investments in infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing and hospital rebuilds.
Alison Taylor
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Noted the importance of economic growth and highlighted recent trade deals and interest rate cuts as signs of economic recovery under current government policies.
Henley and Thame
In Henley and Thame, the average house price is £515,000. A proposed tax on properties would disproportionately affect southern constituencies.
Daisy Cooper
LD
St Albans
Many residents are asset-rich but cash-poor due to long-term property ownership. Proposed taxes could further burden these individuals, and the Liberal Democrats support fair reforms such as a land value tax if designed carefully.
Torbay
There is concern in Torbay about Airbnb's impact on safety and legality. The Government should urgently publish their short-term let registration scheme.
A separate planning use category for short-term lets could balance tourism needs with local housing requirements, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats in previous legislation.
Government Response
Defended the government's fiscal management, highlighting investments in infrastructure and job creation. Stressed the improvement in UK’s economic growth relative to other G7 nations, emphasising recent interest rate cuts and tax reforms.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
Defends Conservative policies as efficient, citing lower council tax rates in Conservative-run areas. Argues that speculation about future tax increases is unfounded and unnecessary.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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