Cornwall to double second-home taxes

Second-home owners in Cornwall will be charged twice the normal rate of council tax under a new proposal. The council has voted to implement the tax hike as soon as it is given the necessary powers by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament. Under new rules councils would also be given powers to charge a 100% council tax premium on people who leave their properties empty for one year or more. But Cornwall would like to go further. Julian German, an independent councillor and former leader of Cornwall Council, wants to bring England in line with Wales. “If the Westminster government wants to devolve the ability for councils to raise council tax on second homes, then why put a cap on it at 100%?” he asks. “Why not trust local government to decide what is right for them, be that 150% or 400%?” The Times (£)