A Cornish MP says news the Government will bring forward changes to its Levelling Up Bill aimed at tackling problems with Airbnbs and other short-term lets is "heartening".

Speaking in the Budget debate yesterday (March 21), levelling up minister Michael Gove said ministers will make changes aimed at restricting “the way that homes can be turned into Airbnbs”, as he acknowledged a problem with holiday lets preventing younger workers from living and finding a job near to home.

Mr Gove said: “Of course we want to have a labour market that works, and of course we want to have a tourism sector that works.

“But there is a problem in the private rented sector, particularly in beautiful parts of our country, where we do have homes which are turned into Airbnbs and into holiday lets in a way that actually impedes the capacity of young workers to find a place where they can stay in the locale that they love and contribute to the economy of which they wish to be part.

“We will be bringing forward some planning changes to the levelling up and regeneration bill which are intended to ensure that we have restrictions over the way that homes can be turned into Airbnbs.”

St Austell and Newquay’s MP Steve Double said: “Today’s comments from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up are very welcome indeed.

"Along with my Cornish MP colleagues I have been pushing for changes such as this to be included in this vital piece of legislation, and it is heartening to see the Government listen and act accordingly.”