Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:37 pm on 3 February 2021.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:37, 3 February 2021

(Translated)

Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, in your statement last week, you acknowledged that second homes were an increasing problem in parts of Wales. But the steps taken to date by the Government are very small in tackling this problem. BBC Cymru Fyw recently interviewed a local campaigner for fair housing rights, Rhys Tudur, and Rhys said that young people like him couldn't buy homes locally and remain within their communities. He said that there was a council house for sale in Abersoch for £380,000, which is way beyond the reach of local people, where the average wage is around £21,000 per annum. Plaid Cymru, as you know, has proposed five steps that could be taken, which include the management of the use of second homes by legislative changes, as they've done in Scotland, and closing the loophole in the law that means that people can opt out of domestic rates and council tax premiums. So, why won't you take action now for the benefit of residents and communities where second homes are a serious problem?