Proposal for a pilot scheme to increase council tax on second homes

That this House observes the notable rise in second home purchases over the past year; acknowledges the significant damage excessive second home ownership does to communities and local public services by robbing towns and villages of a permanent population; notes the decision of Gwynedd council in Wales to double council tax on second homes in their district; and calls on the Government to make the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park pilot areas to increase council tax on second homes, in order to increase funding for local services and to disincentivise second home purchases in those areas.