British expats and second home owners face huge increases under the UK's council tax regime from next week on any properties in the UK that are not rented out permanently.
It's an obviously iniquitous charge given expats and holidaymakers use council services far less
Elliot Keck
From April 1, local authorities are able to use new powers allowing them to double the council tax on certain properties, aimed at cracking down on second homeowners or properties used as short-term holiday rentals. Frequent complaints have been made that locals in tourist areas such as Cornwall and Dorset are priced out of the housing market because of a proliferation of second homes.
But the law change, under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 brought in by the previous government, actually applies to any property that is furnished and only lived in periodically. It allowed authorities to increase council tax by up to 100 per cent.
This means it would affect those living abroad who kept their UK property but did not permanently rent it – perhaps choosing to use it when they returned for holidays – or those that let it through services such as Airbnb.
In total, the move could affect about 500,000 property owners. Exemptions may exist if the properties are put up for sale or are undergoing major refurbishment.
Research for The Times and Sky News found around three quarters of local authorities were taking up the option to double the charge, which would take average council tax bills from £2,280 to £4,560. The tax premium already exists in Wales.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Elliot Keck, head of campaigns for the Taxpayers' Alliance, told The National: “The council tax premium on second homes is a naked cash grab by town halls desperate to squeeze affluent residents out of every last drop, no matter how morally dubious their actions may be.
“It's an obviously iniquitous charge given expats and holidaymakers use council services far less than those with their primary residence in the area.
“Labour should immediately cancel this terrible tax raid and ensure that the premium does not exist beyond the upcoming financial year.”
Estate agents such as Savills have already reported a rise in people looking to sell weekend properties, putting it down to a combination of surcharges and an increase in stamp duty in the last budget, while the value of properties in some coastal towns have dropped by up to 10 per cent.
However, the increased revenue could mean a significant boost to local authorities, which are faced with surging costs for issues such as social care. Cornwall County Council expects to accrue an extra £30 million a year – three per cent of its annual budget – with Dorset making an extra £15 million.
As well as tourist hotspots, several London boroughs such as Wandsworth and Camden are bringing it in, as well as towns and cities such as Bristol and Rochdale.
Data compiled by estate agents Hamptons, published on March 24, suggested 71 per cent of England’s 371 local authorities had decided to capitalise on the new charge from April 1, generating about £500m in total.
Typical council tax bills are also expected to rise by 5 per cent on average from April 1. The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, defended the increased charges, saying authorities need to ensure a supply of homes that meet the needs of local people, and a tax premium would encourage owners to bring the properties back into permanent use.
Momentum in the UK housing market slowed in February amid signs of weakening buyer confidence, according to surveyors.
Buyer demand slipped to its weakest levels since November 2023, with a net balance of 14 per cent of property professionals reporting a fall in demand rather than a rise, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
Its survey of professionals indicated that higher stamp duty costs for some home-buyers from April 1 are expected to weaken market activity.
Concerns over interest rates, inflation, and global events also appear to be dampening buyer confidence, the report said.
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13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
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Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
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Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
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3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
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Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
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Friday
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Saturday
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Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
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The Matrix Resurrections
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
