Michael Gove: Holiday homes are turning seaside towns into ‘permanent Airbnbs’

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Airbnb hit back at Mr Gove’s remarks, saying that the vast majority of hosts are everyday people – and 40pc say the additional income helps them make ends meet and afford rising living costs.

Theo Lomas, Airbnb head of government relations for northern Europe, added: “Any planning rules that restrict UK families’ use of their properties should be proportionate and based on clear evidence.”

Mr Gove’s crackdown on holiday homes has attracted criticism from the backbenches of the Conservative party amid fears that he could soon be waging war on second home owners of all types.

Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said the move was “misplaced”. Middlesbrough South MP Simon Clarke, Mr Gove’s predecessor as housing secretary under Liz Truss, labelled it “anti-business”.

Rishi Sunak has been beset by claims that the Government more broadly has pursued an anti-business agenda since he came into office and pushed ahead with an increase in corporation tax.

But Mr Gove mounted a spirited defence of Mr Sunak, who will on Monday hold his first Business Connect conference to take soundings from top executives.

He said: “I think Rishi is probably one of the most pro-business prime ministers that we’ve ever had.

“I know that there’s been criticism in the past about the Government’s relationship with business.

“But we have, in Rishi, someone who’s been dedicated as chancellor, and who’s appointed, in Jeremy, a friend and colleague, who wants to work with business in order to deliver the growth that this country requires.

“And working with business means getting the right tax structure, the right regulatory environment. But also being in listening mode, when it comes to making sure that business gets the support it needs: skills, infrastructure and so on from government.”

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