Cameron's housing plans
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And if people can't afford to buy any food, do you expect them to starve?
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There is nobody in that situation in the UK.
But there are growing numbers of homeless people in this country, and there are plenty of people stuck in the hell of renting.
Soldato
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There are plenty of people in dire need. Even the BBC reports on it occasionally.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32406120
So the growing number of food banks and the people that rely on them are... phantoms?
The growing number of homeless are... all in our heads?
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
No, you missed my point almost wilfully.
Our local council want to impose a levy on 2nd homes, because of the crisis of housing down here being a huge issue. An issue which people feel strongly about, including the councillors.
The central government have stepped in and said 'no'. *And* they've told the council to build more homes suitable for becoming 2nd homes (ie, not affordable or starter homes, but holiday homes in scenic coastal towns). Yet they claim they want to balance the books (hence the cuts in welfare). Surely allowing the council to impose a levy on (mostly empty) 2nd homes would allow us to better balance the books?
But they won't allow it. Because people with 2nd homes tend to be Tory voters, so they won't do anything to hurt these people.
Like we've said, the Tories are showing their true colours. They want to "balance the books", but only if it hurts working people/ the poor - who won't be voting for them anyhow.
The second we have a sensible proposal to generate more revenue, but it targets the well-off in society - then it gets shots down by Tory HQ.
Like the other poster said, they aren't just failing to building new affordable homes and help the lower paid, with this move they're actually deliberately hurting them, in favour of the better off.
there are lots of things that can 'balance the books' and any number of taxes you can dream up - it doesn't mean that everyone is going to be in favour of allowing those taxes
maybe some other local authority would like to introduce a local income tax or a US style property tax too
They actually removed tax breaks for second home owners btw... but I guess that doesn't fit your narrative or allow a random 'Tory' rant
maybe some other local authority would like to introduce a local income tax or a US style property tax too
They actually removed tax breaks for second home owners btw... but I guess that doesn't fit your narrative or allow a random 'Tory' rant
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That's why we need devolution.
Tory HQ see Cornwall as a quaint holiday resort. They probably love the idea of having low-paid peasants wait on them hand and foot, whilst enjoying the beaches and historic attractions.
And wouldn't it be lovely if they didn't have to mix with the locals on said beaches? Well, if we price them out of the county entirely we won't have to! Marvellous plan, old chap.
Soldato
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is a term badly referenced, it literally means monetary worth and means of production with the common people; much like democracy should be recognised as power with the people not top down.
This is not rich elitism winning government favour, that isnt actually close to capitalism
I'd be happy to see a federal system in the UK - though your local government isn't necessarily going to do everything you want it to and tourism is still a big part of the economy - you're not some small island where the natives might be completely displaced without protectionist policies
But you need someone to make your cream tea and cappuccino, and that person isn't going to commute from Manchester for the privilege of earning min wage doing it.
Even if tourism is the biggest employment sector (last time I checked it is), that doesn't mandate that 50% of our housing stock should be 2nd homes (left empty most of the year).
And it doesn't mean that we should become the victim of BTL magnates, who see Cornwall's housing crisis as a way to get even richer.
that again - like I've already pointed out there isn't an issue in finding people willing to take that sort of work in London - it is an imaginary problem you've come up with because you seemingly don't have experience of the world outside of Cornwall. No the typical starbucks worker isn't going to own their own place in the capital and no that doesn't make finding people to work in starbucks particularly difficult.
it isn't though AFAIK it is up to 5% - about a tenth of what you suggest there
a few small villages aren't representative of the area as a whole
People on min wage in/around London can only /exist/ due to benefits/credits. Otherwise they wouldn't even be able to afford the rent. And likely they face a heck of a long commute to get to work. And probably spend a good 50% of their income on rent. And still struggle to survive.
But since the govt are (rightly imho) cutting back on income support, we might see some people leaving London to work elsewhere. As I said, I'd love to see London become utterly unaffordable, and for all the essential workers to leave. It would lovely to watch London melt down with nobody willing to work in the shops or clean the streets.
You don't have a clue what you're talking about re the place I live. Not a single clue.
not necessarily, but like I said you're just making things up
I've worked minimum wage jobs in London in the past and shared flats with people doing the same - you're living at home in Cornwall, what would you know about people working in London?
what a nice view to have, you'd love to see London become utterly un-affordable?
I think I've pointed it out before but there isn't a huge issue with finding people to fill jobs in London
actually that sums up you talking about London - though the statement I've made about where you live, which you've just quoted is factually correct whereas your claim wasn't
It's absolute rubbish. All of the coastal towns are anywhere between 30% and 50% 2nd homes.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-stop-rich-outsiders-snapping-properties.html
Forgive the DM link, but this is the reality up and down Cornwall. I have no idea where you got that 5% stat from.
The only places that might genuinely be 5% are Redruth/Camborne. Slums that nobody wants to live in, let alone holiday in. Those are, btw, officially the most deprived towns in the whole UK. Wales has climbed above us now.
But it's OK as long as you can come holiday in your nice 2nd home.
And as for your other assertion - that the government had ended tax breaks for 2nd homes, well think again.
If these people let out their homes for something like 100 days a year, they get to pay NO council tax or business rates. None. Read this:
https://www.andrewgeorge.org.uk/devastating-impact-second-home-ownership-cornwall/
nope - your claim of 50% is though
http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2013/mar/07/blight-second-homes-cornwall-london
I'm going to dispute that article. Perhaps they aren't counting holiday lets or something. Here's another Guardian article which says something different:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/17/cornwall-padstow-tourism-locals-housing
That's Padstow. "Up to 70% 2nd homes". The Spotlight news report tonight said that they spoke to one estate agent who told them "90% of the new homes we sell are 2nd homes."
70% of existing homes are 2nd homes, and up to 90% of new property built sells as a 2nd home.
5% my ****.