Labour and Conservative Parties have come to blows over the issue of increasing council tax on second homes in one of the countries largest tourist hotspots, Cornwall.

The Labour Party are demanding that the Local Authority have the right to double the standard council tax payment on second homes and holiday lets as they claim that by doing this, the local council would raise an extra £25 million per year which could then be spent on affordable housing and helping those struggling to buy a property due to the Holiday Lets in the area boosting the house prices.

However, one of Cornwall’s Conservative MP’s, Derek Thomas, has stated that doubling council tax is not the answer. He claims that the high streets in these poplar tourist towns could not survive without the thriving tourist industry which is supported by holiday lets. He claims that “council tax is about providing services, so you pay your council tax in return for a service. It shouldn’t be seen as a cash cow for people we think we should penalise”

If you need any advice on purchasing a second home, please give our property department a call on 01606 74301