5. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Second Homes and Affordability

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:36 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Sam Rowlands Sam Rowlands Conservative 4:36, 23 November 2021

Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. I'd also like to welcome the comments you just made there to the Chairman of the committee and thank you for your ongoing communication, as a member of the Local Government and Housing Committee, as well. In line with your statement, Minister, I agree with you that we need to understand the issues fully, in line with the comments from Joel James there as well, gathering the evidence so that we can get a full picture of some of the challenges, but also, as you pointed out a moment ago in one of your responses, remembering the acute challenge, perhaps, that this can be in some communities, which are vastly different from one community to the other, even just a couple of miles apart from each other. You acknowledge in your statement, and I'll quote, the

'need to avoid unintended consequences' with any measures that may be implemented on this issue. As you will know, a huge concern that I have with the second homes discussion at times is the tone of the debate and the possibly damaging effect it could have on our tourism sector in Wales. As you will be aware, it is a vitally important sector in my region of North Wales, where it supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes around £3.5 billion a year to the economy. So, Minister, what work will you undertake, with the Minister for Economy, to ensure that Wales continues to be seen as an open and welcoming country? Yes, for those 11 million overnight domestic visitors, for the 87 million day visitors, and for the 1 million international visitors that we welcome year on year, who come to Wales, spending their money, supporting our jobs for local people, and seeing the exceptional attractions that our country has to offer. Diolch yn fawr iawn.