Second home owners must not abuse taxpayer grants loophole - The Yorkshire Post says

Over the last few weeks and months, we have seen the very best of the country – from those on the healthcare frontlines putting their own lives at risk to save others to hundreds of thousands of ordinary people coming forward to volunteer to help their vulnerable neighbours.

But we also need to face up to some of the less-appealing behaviour on display.

Some of it is clear and obvious; those flouting lockdown restrictions and the heartless criminals trying to defraud those most in need. Other things are less clear-cut but equally in need of condemnation; such as the situation where second-home owners are able to claim £10,000 Government grants because their properties have been classified as businesses often for tax-saving reasons.

To establish a second home as a holiday let and thereby avoid paying council tax, it has to be available for rent for 140 days per year but no proof of lettings are required to confirm it is a commercial venture – leaving the system open to abuse.

Millions of pounds have so far been claimed by owners of such properties across the country so far, a situation that particularly sticks in the craw of Yorkshire’s hard-working bed and breakfast owners who have been excluded from such support as they pay council tax rather than business rates.

The most pertinent question for these second-home owners making these claims to ask themselves is a very simple one – do they genuinely need taxpayer money that was designed to save hospitality businesses from going to the wall?

Just because Government support is available, not everyone should claim it; especially when we will all be counting the cost of this crisis in our tax bills for years to come.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor