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Housing Market

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 28 April 2025UIN 45700

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to commission research on the potential impact of the (a) second homes and (b) higher empty homes premium on (i) house prices, (ii) housing markets, (iii) the local economy and (iv) tourism.

Answered by Jim McMahon

It is for councils to decide whether it is appropriate or effective to use the premium. The government collects data on the use of premiums and the number of empty and second homes, which is published in the government’s council taxbase statistics. However the data does not make any other assessment based on the use of the premiums.

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