Strathspey MSP blasts 'draconian' plans to increase Council Tax on second homes
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Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing has broken ranks with his party again and spoken out against plans to give local authorities the power to increase Council Tax on second homes.
Since leaving the cabinet, the veteran politician has become an outspoken backbencher on issues including the delay to dualling the A9 and the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Mr Ewing, who has now said that plans outlined by the Scottish Government yesterday will do little if anything to create housing for local people and will do more damage to the economy.
The MSP, who lets out a second home in Lossiemouth, described the the proposals as draconian.
Related article:
Move to allow councils to raise Council Tax paid on second homes
Mr Ewing said: "The answer is not in more tax and more regulation – it’s in building more homes.
"What is needed is more flexibility in removing unfair planning restrictions especially in rural areas to building more homes.
"I would see each farmer allowed to build a settlement of say five houses on their farm. Five would be enough to allow for costs of services and so on.
"The problem is not that there are too many second homes. The problem is there are not enough first homes.
"Supply is constrained by tight planning or outright bans on new homes."
He continued: "Second home owners do not pay 50 per cent – they pay 90 per cent of the Council Tax.
"To make them pay twice the council will punish people for thrift and remove from the local economy the considerable business for local builders, plumbers, electricians and other trades who benefit from major home improvement extensions garages and general spend.
"This is a big part of the local economy.
"There's no guarantee at all that these homes would be sold as first homes
"Moreover a great many people love the Cairngorms and this part of Scotland. They save to buy a second home here. Many then retire here and spend here.
"Some may choose instead to buy somewhere abroad like Portugal for example.
"There’s nothing wrong with that except that investment may be driven out of Scotland.
"The loss will be to people who work here and whose livelihoods rests in part on the investment that comes into this area
"I declare an internet have a second home in Lossiemouth which I rent out to a local man. I have done for nearly 16 years.
"But if he decides to leave I may sell up rather than pay double the Council Tax. It may then become a holiday let or second home.
"This proposal is draconian and will damage the economy in Badenoch and Strathspey and in my view will not result in more homes for locals."
What do you think? Let us know in comments or by emailing us at editorial@sbherald.co.uk
