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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:43 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 4:43, 23 November 2021

Perhaps I should start, given the Minister's comments, by declaring that, in my previous employment working for a building society, I worked with Tai Cymru to introduce a number of low-cost home ownership schemes in Wales.

But last Friday, I visited Penmachno in Conwy with the rural futures programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Whilst there, local residents showed me the number of properties in the town centre that were now Airbnb properties—they looked in very good condition, but nearly all of them were empty—that were previously occupied by local people. They presented me with a detailed submission with evidence, and asked me if I could hand this to you personally. Could I arrange to hand this to you or one of your officials?