Scrap £200m handout for owners of multiple homes

Shadow chancellor says Sunak's policy is 'cobbled together'

- ASHLEY COWBURN

Rishi Sunak should scrap an estimated £200m "loophole" that allows wealthy owners of second homes to receive multiple energy rebates, the shadow chancellor has said.

In an interview with The Independent, Rachel Reeves claimed the system's design was a result of the chancellor's support package being "cobbled together at the last minute" and amid damaging Partygate headlines. After the extraordinary U-turn to impose a windfall tax, Ms Reeves also hit out at the inclusion of a tax relief measure for energy companies investing further in fossil fuel extraction - describing it as a "get out of jail card".

The remarks come after ministers bowed to pressure and unveiled a multibillion-pound package aimed at alleviating the cost of living crisis, ditching a £200 loan scheme in favour of a universal £400 rebate on energy bills. But questions have been raised after it emerged individuals who own more than one home will receive multiple payments - one for each property.

Labour's own analysis shows there are just short of half a million second homes (499,763) in England, Wales, and Scotland combined that could be in line for extra support. If all of these properties were to receive a second £400 payment, Ms Reeves said the party's estimate was that "£200m of money [announced on Thursday] will go to people with multiple properties".