COUNCIL TAX AND SECOND HOMES

Early day motion 530, tabled 5 December 2001 by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 40 members.

That this House welcomes the recent publication of the Government Consultation Paper recommending the removal of the current 50 per cent. council tax discount on second homes; is disappointed that this has been published a full year after the delayed Rural White Paper which promised to consult on the proposal; recognises that it is no longer justifiable to spend up to ú220 million of taxpayers' money each year to subsidise the better off to have their second homes when there are many thousands of people in areas of high second home ownership who do not have a decent first home; further notes that this proposal now has cross party support, including that of the Conservatives who brought in the original legislation; and therefore believes that rapid progress can be made in bringing about this long overdue change, providing that the Government has the will to do it.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 17, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3.