SOUTH Lakes MP accused the Government of failing to close tax loopholes.

Tim Farron said the Government has been ‘twiddling their thumbs’ while homeowners pretend to be small businesses to avoid paying council tax.

This comes a year since the Government began a consultation into closing tax loopholes.

Mr Farron said: “It’s been over a year now since this consultation ended and ministers are still twiddling their thumbs while excessive second home ownership turns so many of our local communities into ghost towns."

Last week, housing minister Esther McVey said they were still looking through responses to the consultation.

“The loophole is being exploited so that people in council houses in Grasmere are subsidising wealthy second home owners from London."

“Councils are losing millions every year through this loophole that could be spent on keeping our communities vibrant. The Government need to take their head out of the sand."