HC Deb 02 February 2001 vol 362 cc313-4W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps the Government will take to ensure that low-cost homes built as a result of the additional council tax income received from second homes will be occupied by low-income earners; [148085]

(2) what plans he has to end the 50 per cent. council tax discount on second homes. [148179]

Ms Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 1 February 2001]: In our Rural White Paper, we said that we would consult on our proposals to give local authorities discretion to end the 50 per cent. discount and to allow them to retain the additional proceeds, and that we would seek views on whether these should be spent on affordable housing. We intend to issue a consultation paper shortly.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total value in England and Wales is of the second home rating rebate. [148099]

Ms Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 1 February 2001]: Some 523,000 dwellings in England, some 2.6 per cent. of the total chargeable dwellings, are subject to the 50 per cent. council tax discount. We do not know how many of these are second and holiday homes. However, from the survey of English Housing we estimate that in 1998–99 there were about 248,000 second and holiday homes, which would be about 1.2 per cent. of the total number of dwellings that year. On that basis, if all local authorities ended the 50 per cent. discount the extra council tax raised would be around £100 million.

As council tax in Wales is a devolved matter, it is for the National Assembly for Wales to answer questions about the position in Wales.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the estimated financial benefits to local councils of second home ownership in England. [148180]

Ms Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 1 February 2001]: Since we published the Rural White Paper on 28 November, we have received four representations which raise the subject of the financial benefits which second home ownership can bring to local communities.