Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has plans to take further steps to tackle the rise in short term holiday lets including those that are a result of new build properties.

The government committed in its Tourism Recovery Plan to consult on a registration scheme for short term tourist accommodation in England. Ahead of this, however, the government intends to launch a call for evidence that will seek views on a range of issues that arise from the increase in short term and holiday letting.

I have already begun the process of informally speaking to stakeholders across the sector on this issue, to inform the call for evidence. For example in December 2021, I held two roundtables with attendees from the private sector, Local Authorities, tourism representative groups, and others.

The government supports institutional investment into the private rented sector, through the expansion of the Build to Rent market. This can help drive up overall housing supply and raise standards.

The Build to Rent sector is one example that has attracted significant institutional investment over recent years, delivering purpose-built, good quality, professionally managed homes for long-term rental.