The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has produced information relating to housing from the 2021 census.

It says that 3.2 million usual residents in England and Wales (5.3% of the population) reported staying at a second address for more than 30 days a year.

The most common types of second address were another parent or guardian’s address (used by 1.1 million people, 1.77% of all usual residents), students’ home addresses (655,000, 1.10%), and holiday homes (447,000 0.75%).

Among the English regions, London (6.0%) and the South West (5.9%) had the highest percentage of usual residents who used a second address.

The local authorities with the highest percentage of people who used a second address within the UK were Oxford (15.6%), Cambridge (14.1%) and Exeter (13.5%), understandable as all are university cities.

There are thought to be more than 13,000 properties in Cornwall classed as second homes on the council tax system – one of the highest levels in the country.

Now, a 100% Council Tax premium on second homes in Cornwall, which could bring in an extra £25 million in revenue each year, has been approved by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet committee. (The decision will now go to a full meeting of Cornwall Council early this year for final approval).

The premium will be in place from April 1, 2024, provided the relevant legislation is passed through Parliament in time.