Second home owners have won an unexpected reprieve, according to a report in The Times by Anne Ashworth. The Lyons report on local government last week said that ministers should consult with town halls over a supplementary charge on the 350,000 second homes in England. Owners of two homes feared this would mean an extra levy on top of paying 90% of council tax. However, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has apparently ruled out any further changes to second home charges and made it clear that the current levels of council tax were adequate.
Government advisers are also reported as saying that defining a second home raise problems. For example, a wife and husband might live separately. Nor was it clear whether an MP's residence in London should be treated as a first or second home.
