Scotland hikes LBTT for second homes in line with SDLT

As the market becomes more polarised, so the debate on second homes becomes more intense. But is government intervention justified, asks Savills' Sophie Chick

Rather than complaining and propagating the confiscation of empty homes, commentators should be applying their energies to making the planning process efficient, less political and more productive, says…

The government cheekily chose a Bank Holiday Monday in the middle of the holiday season to launch a consultation into its scheme to charge an extra 3% stamp duty levy on second homes and buy-to-let properties.