Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has continued to press the Government for changes to the loophole that sees some holiday home owners avoid paying council tax or business rates for their properties.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Steve questioned Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Rishi Sunak over tightening up existing legislation.
In reply the Minister said that the existing system does leave some scope for ambiguity, and committed his Department to look at ways in which it could be revised.
Commenting after the debate, Steve said:
“I have had a number of residents raise this problem with me and have been working with Ministers to find a way to tighten up the existing legislation.”
“I am pleased to have again raised this important issue on behalf of the residents of Cornwall, in Parliament, and it is good to see the Minister take these concerns on board and commit to revising the legislation. I will continue to work with colleagues both locally and in Westminster to find a common sense solution that will close this loophole.”