Taxation: Empty Property

Mr. Keetch
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the merits of reducing taxes on landlords of empty premises to encourage more tenants to rent those premises; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson
The Government believe that the reform of empty property relief in April 2008, in response to recommendations in the Lyons Inquiry and Barker Review of Land Use Planning, is the right decision for the long term.