SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has warned that home ownership is out of out of reach for far too many young people.
Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, was speaking in the Senedd, during the Welsh Conservative debate on Land Transaction Tax with Labour, Plaid and Reform voting against, while the Lib Dem didn’t vote at all.
He said: “The Cabinet Secretary’s position throughout his contribution was one that assumed that land transaction tax, or stamp duty in England, has always existed and should never, ever be considered for removal, that it’s something that is sacred and has every right to remain there forever and a day.
“But this is not just about the tax itself; it’s about opportunity and putting power back into the hands of families here in Wales, because, as Conservatives, we believe that owning your own home gives you a real stake in your society and roots in your community. A nation of homeowners is a nation of stakeholders.
“And it’s not just about home ownership, though; it’s something that should be within the reach of young people up and down Wales, giving them stability and security.
“Young people are trapped renting; working parents are penalised is they want more space to raise a family; there are obstacles for pensioners who want to downsize.
“By improving this barrier, we don’t just make houses cheaper; we make the entire economy more mobile, efficient, and dynamic.
“Plaid’s cosy deal with Labour means more spending on their own vanity projects, rather than putting money into the pockets of hardworking families, or releasing the housing market to work for the people of Wales.
“It’s not just a tax cut. It’s a kickstart for the economy, a chance to make housing more affordable, and a way to unlock the Welsh housing market, millions of pounds currently tied up in a tax that blocks families from buying, selling, and moving freely.
“Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour claim they care about young people, yet under their watch, the average age of first-time buyers, has again increased.
“New home building, has fallen year on year, and the target for low-carbon social housing is set to be missed again.
“Only the Welsh Conservatives have a credible plan to fix the broken housing market here in Wales, to free up supply, and to give people the dignity of owning their own home.”
Commenting after the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Finance Secretary, Sam Rowlands MS, said:
“I was really disappointed but not surprised that opposition members did not support our call to scrap Welsh Stamp Duty.
“The Land Transaction Tax is yet another tax from Labour and Plaid that is putting home ownership out of out of reach for far too many young people and stands in the way of mobility in our housing market.
“That’s why a Welsh Conservative Government will scrap this tax and put more money in people’s pockets.”
The motion which was debated read: “To propose that the Senedd: Calls on the Welsh Government to support Welsh Conservative calls to scrap Land Transaction Tax for primary residences in Wales.“
