Andrew George

I strongly agree. Planning consultants will often say privately that when an affordable element is required within the planning permission, developers will often go to their local authority with two viability assessments—one that they show the local authority with violins and a sob story, and another in their back pocket that has substantial profits for themselves. As a result, the portion of affordable homes delivered on many of the open market-led sites often diminishes to none at all. It is a system where, I am afraid, cynicism has succeeded, and I wish the Government well in trying to bear down on the problem. My speech has taken a long time because of the number of interventions I have taken. We have had an interesting debate, but I will bring my remarks to a close by reminding the Minister that this policy not only has the support of the local Labour party, but it was also supported by the Conservatives in the past, although I do not know where they are on that at the moment. It has been implemented by the Labour party in Wales. Indeed, I will quote the Minister, who said on 20 January last year, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron), that “the previous Government consulted on making short-term lets a different use class, but did not consult on second homes becoming a use class. As part of our wider consideration about the additional powers we might give local authorities, I am more than happy to have a conversation”—[Official Report, 20 January 2025; Vol. 760, c. 713.] on that issue. This was obviously in his mind at the time, and I do not know why it is not now, because it would certainly assist local communities. I believe that the Bill represents a range of modest measures—necessarily modest because it is a private Member’s Bill—that would be available to communities to address serious housing problems. The second part of the Bill would particularly apply in those areas where there is high pressure for holiday and second homes, and I urge hon. Members and the Minister to think again and to back the Bill.