Oral Question·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
“If she will make it her policy to introduce a new planning use class for second homes.”
Tabled: 14 January 2025Answered: 20 January 2025
Asked by
Tim Farron
Liberal Democrat — Westmorland and Lonsdale
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Answer from Hansard
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
The Government recognise that excessive concentrations of second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as on local services. From April, councils will be able to charge a council tax premium of up to 100% on second homes but, as the hon. Gentleman will know, we do not think this is enough. We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to better respond to the pressures they face.