Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has assessed the potential impact of a zero rate of VAT on land intended for social housing on tax avoidance and abuse.

The Government recently published a consultation on introducing a zero rate of VAT for land intended for social housing. The proposed policy is intended to simplify and accelerate the construction of social housing in line with the Government’s wider strategy to increase housing supply and support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes over the course of this Parliament.

As part of this consultation, the Government is seeking views on the administration of the relief, including safeguards which may be necessary to protect against any misuse.