Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Mann Excerpts

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Foster]

I look forward to visiting my hon. Friend’s fabulous constituency when an opportunity arises, and I thank him for his kind remarks.

[John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab)]

13. What assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of the community infrastructure levy.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles)]

It is early days for the implementation of the levy, which is currently being charged by only six councils. We have asked developers and local councils to report on how it is operating, and to suggest how it might be refined and improved.

[John Mann]

Under Labour, tax on development was only for developments of 15 properties or more. Under this Government, single properties are being taxed twice, which means that the CIL alone is over £20,000 per property in the north of England, and three or four times that in the south. What is it about aspiration, and people wanting to buy a plot of land and build a house, that this Government are so much against?

[Nick Boles]

Regulations were drawn up to stop councils using section 106 and the community infrastructure levy to take two bites at the cherry, but we are aware of concern about the position. I know that the hon. Gentleman is better at harrying Ministers than almost anyone else in the House, and I have no doubt that he will continue to harry me, and my officials, to ensure that the CIL supports growth and the infrastructure that underpins it.