Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Tim Farron Excerpts
Tuesday 2nd November 2021

(3 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Glen Portrait John Glen
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Banking hubs will absolutely be a part of the solution, alongside a whole range of other interventions. The Government have committed to legislate on this matter, but in the meantime, I am very hopeful that industry will come forward with meaningful proposals for a range of options to deal with the declining use of cash and ensure access is available everywhere.

Tim Farron Portrait Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)
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The colossal economic inequality facing rural communities is something that I hope the Government take seriously. Is the Minister aware of the collapse of local housing in communities such as mine—and indeed in the Chancellor’s next-door constituency—into the second-home and holiday-let markets? Following the Welsh Assembly Government’s example, will the Minister look at doubling council tax on second-home properties, so that communities such as mine do not lose their local populations and become riddled with ghost towns?

John Glen Portrait John Glen
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The Government are looking at tightening up the rules around second homes and council tax. We would be very happy to engage with the hon. Gentleman on the matter.