§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what consultations he plans with local authorities concerning proposed changes in the second home council tax discount; [141742]
(2) what the (a) process and (b) time scale is for the introduction of the end of the second home council tax discount. [141741]
§ Ms Beverley HughesIn the White Paper, "Our Countryside: The Future", (Cm 4909), we said that we would consult on giving local authorities discretion to charge the full council tax on second homes rather than the 50 per cent. discount that they are required to apply at the moment.
We intend to issue a consultation paper to local authorities and others in the new year and will finalise our proposals in the light of comments we receive. Primary legislation would be needed to provide local authorities with this power.