Currently councils can charge a second home premium of up to 100% but that will increase to 300% from April 2023. The move, included in a Labour-Plaid Cymru cooperation agreement, is part of efforts to make it easier for people to afford homes where they grew up.
“It’s astounding and morally indefensible,” Jonathan Martin, a spokesman for the Home Owners of Wales Group, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. “Where do they think we’re going to get this 300% from? I can’t afford it, that’s for sure and I’m quite sure a lot of other people can’t afford it. It’s just astounding.”
Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he …
Having lived in Wales and seen villages blighted by English “second-homes”, I’m absolutely delighted by the news.