UNBELIEVABLE!

In his Budget, the Chancellor, John Healey, extended multi-million tax handouts to second/holiday homeowners, yet without consideration for the housing emergency.

It’s a tax loophole which has been extensively exploited by second homeowning property investors since 2012. The Budget enables second homeowners who ‘flip’ their properties from council tax to business rates, apply for the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) and pay nothing to be extended to almost all standalone holiday homes.

I’d asked the Chancellor to close the multimillion-pound tax loophole, but instead he’s opened it further!

It’s shocking that billions of pounds are still handed out to wealthy property investors, while hundreds of thousands of families struggle without a secure, affordable first home. At the time of writing this, I plan to challenge ministers again before the Budget is voted on.

This isn’t the politics of envy, but simply promoting social justice. Entitling holiday lets to SBRR was shocking enough, though not unusual for the Conservatives who introduced it. In Cornwall alone, more than half a billion of taxpayers money has been granted to holiday homeowners (most who live outside Cornwall) in the last decade. This kind of money could’ve gone some way to help solve local housing problems.

Last year’s introduction of double council tax for second homes, has clearly provoked more to take advantage of the tax loophole!

Indeed, some are now demanding it be backdated, thus putting local authorities in an even worse financial crisis, which may ultimately result in cutting essential local services.

Meanwhile, I’m putting on a Storm Resilience Summit in Penzance on November 27, between 2-5pm.

Are we prepared? It’s arranged to help us all prepare. To hear from the government's emergency planners, COBRA, local emergency planners and key service providers. There’s a good line-up - and a chance to talk to the relevant services face-to-face.

Recently, I received numerous calls and concerns following Storm Austen. Community leaders and first responders deserve reassurance we’ve learned lessons following Storm Goretti last January. With a super El Nino looming, it’s important we get ready.

Are you ready?

What do we all need to do, individually, as communities looking out for each other, and knowing how to get help when needed?

If the worst of the winter storms haven't already arrived by then(!), this event will help.

It’s somewhat appropriate we’re holding the event at the Penzance & Newlyn Rugby Ground (and Cornish Pirates home ground), The Mennaye, which was devastated by Storm Goretti and then Storm Ingrid.

The two storms destroyed much of the main grandstand and the stand opposite, causing hundreds of thousands of damage, including the relocation of Pirates home games for months after in Camborne.

Look out for invites and booking forms. Please contact my office if you would like to book your free place now, simply email: andrew.george.mp@parliament.uk