Andrew George Urges Government to Learn from Wales on Housing and Second Homes 

West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly MP Andrew George today called on the Government to learn lessons from Wales’s approach to housing and second homes. 

During questions in the House of Commons, he pointed to the Welsh Government’s failure to meet social housing targets and asked what lessons could be learned from policies introduced to tackle second home ownership. 

Andrew George MP said: 

“The Minister is well aware that the Welsh Government have failed to meet their own social housing targets for the years to come. What lessons have been learned from that? 

“Indeed, from the Welsh Government’s introduction of curbs on second homes through the planning system. Surely this refreshed Government must be taking lessons from Wales and applying them across the UK as a whole.” 

Responding, Housing Minister Anna McMorrin acknowledged that there were lessons to be learned and confirmed that the Government was examining evidence from across the UK. 

Anna McMorrin MP said: 

“We recognise that more needs to be done on second homes and short-term lets. The UK Government will consider a wide range of evidence on the issue, including learning from other parts of the UK.” 

The Minister also highlighted the Government’s commitment to affordable housing, pointing to the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of plans for more than 70,000 new social and affordable homes across England over the next decade, and expressed hope that the Welsh Government would deliver on its pledge to build 20,000 new social homes by 2030.