We know what negative impact second homes can have on the housing market. It can push people out of the housing market as prices go up. We know that it can push young people out of their areas as they’re unable to purchase homes. And we know that it’s an increasing problem: one house in every 10 in Ynys Môn is either vacant or a second home, and as many as four in 10 in areas such as Rhosneigr. We have certainly, as a party, been supportive of the premium on council tax for second homes—a premium that can be used to pay for building more homes, so it works on numerous levels. But we’re talking here about a loophole that means that not only do people not pay the premium, but they also avoid paying any tax at all. We heard the finance Minister saying earlier that she doesn’t believe that there is a loophole. The First Minister, when I raised this a year ago, said that there was no loophole, but, sorry, when wealthier people who can afford a second home legally manage not to pay any tax at all, then that is a loophole, and it costs a great deal to communities and to local authorities.

We know what’s happening: the owners of second homes transfer the home from the council tax system to the business rates system. They can do that very easy, it would appear. The threshold is far too low, and I am very doubtful—. If I can just read from an article from The Telegraph—and this is the case in England, but it is just as relevant to Wales—and this is from July of this year: