Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to introduce a derelict land tax. [204221]

Mr Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury: The Government has no intention of introducing a tax on derelict land. The Government does not believe that increasing the cost of holding derelict land would be an effective way to incentivise development. The Government is instead focusing on other more effective measures to address stalled sites such as introducing a right of appeal against economically unviable affordable housing (section 106) obligations, and incentivising the development of derelict land through Land Remediation Relief.

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