Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Second Home Ownership

Monday 20 July 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tim Farron asked about the recent assessment of the effect of trends in second home ownership on local communities.
  • The minister stated that second home owners contribute significantly to local economies, particularly in areas dependent on tourism.
  • In 2013, the government removed council tax discounts for second homes, and currently, 95% of the 253,000 second home dwellings have full council tax applied.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Farron Lib Dem
Housing Local Government
Context

Second home ownership is a contentious issue, particularly in areas reliant on tourism. It affects local economies, housing availability, and community services.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of trends in second home ownership on local communities? Excessive second home ownership robs communities of life, schools, and other services. Why are people in the south Lakes appalled at a £15,000 stamp duty bonus for second home owners? With 3 million hard-working people excluded from Government support, are these priorities justified?

Answer from Christopher Pincher (ID: 24747)

Second home owners contribute significantly to local economies, especially in tourist-dependent regions. In 2013, we removed council tax discounts for second homes; now, 95% of the 253,000 second home dwellings have full council tax applied. We strive to balance economic needs with those of local residents and believe our measures are correct during this epidemic.

Answered
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