Empty Homes (Hansard, 3 July 2001)

HC Deb 03 July 2001 vol 371 c118W 118W

§ Mr. Sanders
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make it his policy to allow local authorities a discretionary power to levy 100 per cent. council tax on long-term empty homes within their area; and if he will make a statement. [1471]

§ Dr. Whitehead
In the Rural White Paper last November, we set out proposals to consult on giving local authorities discretion on applying the 50 per cent. discount for second homes. We are considering whether the principle of greater local discretion could be extended to long-term empty homes as well.