Minister commits to 'roundtable event' on Devon and Cornwall's housing crisis
Cross-party MPs have made calls for action at a debate in Westminster
Last updated 28th Apr 2022
Devon and Cornwall have secured a summer 'roundtable event' on the region's housing crisis.
A government minister committed to that during a debate in Westminster on Wednesday.
Cross-party MPs made calls for action on everything from second homes to the soaring cost of rental properties and the need for more affordable homes.
Some described the current situation as the worst they have seen in their political careers.
North Devon MP Selaine Saxby secured the debate, likening the crisis to a "Kansas twister".
She said: "We get really big storms in North Devon, and we are stuck in a really big housing storm right now. Without urgent intervention, we will have literal ghost towns and villages along our coast next winter, as locals have their homes and opportunities to live and work in their community ripped away from them by something like the Kansas twister. I hope that we can say goodbye to the yellow brick road and that some affordable housing wizardry will be expedited this afternoon".
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said "this is the most serious housing crisis I have experienced in my 25 years as a Member of Parliament".
MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Luke Pollard made the case for every family across the south west to have a first home.
He said: "We are in a state of housing crisis here. Our market is failing. That is why I look to the Minister for urgent action that can be delivered this year—not some time ahead".
MP for St Ives and the Isles of Scilly, Derek Thomas, raised the issue of tax exemptions for second homes, saying: "I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, and to my housing debate in December, when I had more time to set out the difficulties and potential solutions. During the debate, I called—more ambitiously than has been done so far—for devolved powers to local authorities such as Cornwall Council through the levelling up and regeneration Bill.
"I believe I have the support of Cornish colleagues in suggesting that all new homes be restricted for permanent residents only in perpetuity, and for a licence requirement if someone wants to use a home that is lived in as a holiday let, a bolthole or for any other business purpose.
"Since December, the Government have not done a great deal to resolve the problem, although I appreciate that legislation is to be announced in the Queen’s Speech, but they have sought to address the exemption of second homes from business rates and council tax.
"From next year, as a consequence of lots of work that many have done—I have raised the issue twice in the Chamber over the years, and the Government ran two consultations—people will have to prove to the local authority that they have rented their house for 70 days before they qualify for the exemption.
"I still think council tax should be paid on all homes built to live in. That would be very good for our police and our town and parish councils, which at the moment are losing that income".
He concluded: "I hope the Minister understands the severity of the problem for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It is urgent. I have many constituents in a desperate situation, and we need rapid and effective intervention that provides a secure home for life, whether it is owned or rented".
It was South West Devon MP, Gary Streeter, who called for a roundtable event or conference this summer.
He said: "There is a significant gap in the middle between the two main policy pillars that the Government are currently pursuing, and many of our constituents are falling into that gap. As such, here is a thought for the Minister, with which I will conclude. Will he give some thought to calling a conference or roundtable in the south-west this summer to discuss our challenging housing needs? We could hear from key workers and employers about the frustrations and costs of accessing housing in our hotspot area, from housing providers and landlords about the current landscape, their frustrations, and the things that work and do not work, and from innovative providers of housing how, working together with Government, they might help meet the needs and aspirations of our constituents. Such a collective brainstorm could help find both short-term and long-term solutions to our housing crisis.
"The housing market in Devon and Cornwall, whether to rent or to buy, has always been challenging for local people, but in my 30 years, it has never been as bad as it currently is. It is a crisis, and urgent remedial action is required".
Housing Minister Stuart Andrew responded by saying: "As I said at the start, I am aware of the seriousness of the situation. My hon. Friend the Member for South West Devon (Sir Gary Streeter) suggested that I hold a roundtable in his region. He will be pleased to know that I have already suggested that to officials in my Department—I look forward to making those arrangements as soon as possible.
"I want to hear the suggestions that local partners may have. I want to fully understand the impact that the situation is having on local communities from those who are actually there. I now expect that there will be a million invitations for me to visit each constituency while I am there; I would very much look forward to that".
You can watch the debate in full on the Parliament TV website or read the transcript here){:target=_blank}.