MP challenges Treasury Minister to take action on Cumbria’s housing crisis

In Parliament this morning, South Lakes MP Tim Farron urged Government ministers to honour their promise to change planning law for short term lets to tackle the housing crisis in Cumbria.

Speaking during Treasury Oral Questions today, Tim said: “Throughout Westmorland and Lonsdale, we see people particularly in social care in hospitality and tourism and other professions ejected from their communities because of the collapse of the long term rented market into the short term rented market, principally through Airbnb.

“So would the minister go further on making sure that we have fiscal controls to make sure we keep homes that are available for local people to live in?

“And will he also put pressure on ministerial colleagues so we change planning law so that short term lets are a separate category of planning use and so communities in the Lakes and the Dales can actually prevent the collapse of their communities into only being places where those who can afford to visit can live?

Responding, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Nigel Huddleston said: “I thank the honourable gentleman for his comments because this is a topic we've talked about in previous roles I've had over many, many years.

“He's aware that DLUHC have published a consultation on the introduction of a planning use class for short term lets and also he'll be aware that through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, the Government has also introduced a new power which will allow councils to apply a council tax premium on second homes.

“So I think there's progress in this area, but we're always open to new ideas.”