Progress being made in campaign to close second home tax loopholes

Andrew George reports that good progress is being made in his campaign to close tax loopholes used by thousands of second home owners. The multi-million pound tax loss operates to the detriment of local families in housing need, legitimate holiday businesses, taxpayers and public services.

Andrew first exposed the tax loopholes five years ago. But the Conservatives refused to do anything. They were content to carry on rewarding the wealthy who under-occupied their second homes with generous tax loopholes but penalise the poor with the unfair ‘bedroom tax’ if they believed they under-occupy their Council home.

Other parties have taken up Andrew’s campaign. And now, shamed by this injustice, even some Conservatives have finally admitted this unfairness and are now hastily claiming they want to close the loopholes too!

Andrew says, “It’s good the Conservatives have finally admitted this unfairness. But local people need action now. Not just more warm words.

“Indeed, we can and should go further. By introducing a new planning law to better regulate numbers and to allow local authorities to levy higher taxes”.