Minister to meet Andrew George MP re concern about taxpayer subsidy for holiday lets 

Today in the Commons, Treasury Minister James Murray MP agreed to meet Andrew George MP about concerns that a well-used tax concession to assist small businesses has been used by thousands of second home owners to avoid paying tax. 

Mr George explained his concern wasn’t borne from “the politics of envy, but that of social justice”. He said to the minister: “Surely, it cannot be right, that, for example in Cornwall, over £500 million of taxpayer’s money through the small business rate relief system, has gone into the pockets of holiday homeowners in the last ten years. Many were second homeowners who’ve flipped from Council tax to take advantage of this. 

“Would the Minister be willing to meet with me so that we can find a more equitable way of spending public money which goes into first homes rather than second homes?”  

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray responded that the government has enabled councils to charge a premium of up to 100% on the council tax bills of second homes, has increased the higher rates of stamp duty on land tax on the purchases of second homes, and has abolished the Furnished Holiday Lets tax regime.   

Andrew George MP said, “I believe we can go further”.