Secretary of State Michael Gove has confirmed that the government will bring forward changes to its Levelling Up Bill aimed at tackling problems with Airbnbs and other short-term lets.
Speaking in the Budget debate today, Michael Gove said that ministers will make changes aimed at restricting “the way that homes can be turned into Airbnbs”, as he acknowledged a problem with holiday lets preventing younger workers from living and finding a job near to home.
Speaking in the debate, Mr Gove said:
“Of course we want to have a labour market that works, and of course we want to have a tourism sector that works.”
“But there is a problem in the private rented sector, particularly in beautiful parts of our country like those which he represents, where we do have homes which are turned into Airbnbs and into holiday lets in a way that actually impedes the capacity of young workers to find a place where they can stay in the locale that they love and contribute to the economy of which they wish to be part.”
“We will be bringing forward some planning changes to the levelling up and regeneration bill which are intended to ensure that we have restrictions over the way that homes can be turned into Airbnbs.”
Reacting to the news was St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament Steve Double, who said:
“Today’s comments from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up are very welcome indeed. Along with my Cornish MP colleagues I have been pushing for changes such as this to be included in this vital piece of legislation, and it is heartening to see the Government listen and act accordingly.”
“As ever the devil will be in the detail and I look forward to scrutinising these proposals as they come forward to make sure they work for Cornwall, to help restore parity to our rental market and ensure holiday lets and Airbnbs are controlled in areas which they are currently prevalent.”