Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a tax on unbuilt developments where planning permission has lapsed; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a tax on the construction of new homes.

Introducing new taxes requires a comprehensive evaluation of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, complexity, fairness, and simplicity for the taxpayer. The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the usual tax policy making process and welcomes representations to help inform future decisions on tax policy. Any changes are generally announced at fiscal events, where decisions are taken in the round.

The Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes and has consulted on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework to deliver key steps to get Britain building, including the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets.