Thank you for writing to me regarding your views on second home ownership in Wales.

I acknowledge the concerns about the housing crisis in Wales, and the need to enable local people to access affordable homes in their community. Whilst the Welsh Labour-led Government has a target to build 20,000 affordable homes by the end of this Welsh Parliament, it has included different types of housing – and not just affordable social homes – to monitor its progress on achieving its target, which ultimately fails to meet the housing needs of people in Wales.

As such, I believe that overdue and radical action needs to be taken by the Welsh Labour-led Government to provide local affordable housing that meets the needs of local people. This  includes working with local authorities and housing associations to encourage and prioritise the purchasing of suitable empty homes for social housing, as well as developing homes with effective local market clauses attached.

Furthermore, a reformed right-to-buy for council house tenants should be reintroduced, with 100% of sale receipts reinvested into new social housing for local people.

I also agree with calls for the Welsh Labour-led Government to undertake an evidence-based review of second home ownership in Wales. Whilst local authorities currently have discretionary powers to apply council tax premiums of up to 100% on second homes, this has resulted in unintended consequences. For example, it has led many who had not known that they were eligible for small business rate relief to switch, and others to start letting out their homes to help with costs. It is therefore vital that the Welsh Labour-led Government works with the tourism sector and the Valuation Office Agency to ensure that any future review does not penalise either the contribution made by self-catering businesses to the tourism economy, or second home owners who are playing by the rules.

Finally, I believe that it is important that the use of the Welsh language is protected, whilst also encouraging people to actively use it more often. As such, planning decisions should take into account the Welsh language, whilst I would also encourage people to respect the Welsh language and culture when naming or renaming their homes.

Please be assured that I will continue to monitor developments on this issue closely. I will also raise your concerns directly with my colleague Mark Isherwood MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government and Housing.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write to me.