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Wales considers tax on disused land to boost housing development

According to a minister in the Welsh government, the primary objective of the plans is to increase the number of houses being constructed, rather than generating revenue.

Government ministers in Wales believe that introducing a tax on unused land could spur the development of disused sites and increase house building in the region.

A derelict building behind a wire fence Beside dry soil with rubble and grass in places. Something is stacked in the background, possibly fencing or planks of wood. The day is sunny and the sky is blue.
Welsh government research in 2020 found there were 456 "stalled" sites in Wales that could be used to build homes

A joint consultation between the UK and Welsh governments is planned to discuss the devolution of powers to Wales, enabling the country to implement a tax on vacant land.

The Welsh government aims to deter the practice of "land banking," where land is purchased with the intention of selling it at a higher price, without any plans for development.

According to Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, the proposed tax would have a "positive and tangible" impact on Wales, although a specific timeline has not been provided, with a consultation expected to be published soon.

It is understood that the consultation will not take place before the upcoming Senedd election in May, as reported by BBC Wales.

Both governments have been asked to provide estimates on the potential revenue generated by the new tax.

Research commissioned by the Welsh government in 2020 identified 456 stalled sites in Wales, with 376 of these designated for residential use.

Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford emphasized that the proposed tax is intended to encourage development, rather than generate revenue, stating that the goal is to "change behavior and get more houses built."

Labour MP Jo Stevens expressed her concern about "pockets of land" being held indefinitely, stating that it is essential to bring these areas back into use.

Stevens noted that previous requests for devolved powers had been rejected by the Conservative UK government.

She highlighted that the current Labour government has strengthened devolution in ways that will positively impact Wales, with the proposed tax being one such example.

Mark Drakeford stated that the timing of the consultation is dependent on the UK government's Treasury, but he hopes for a swift progression to the next stage of the process.

Drakeford believes that the devolution of the tax will benefit Welsh communities.

He explained that a tax on undeveloped land could encourage landowners to develop their properties within the expected timeframe.

The primary objective of the tax, according to Drakeford, is to change behavior and increase the number of houses built, rather than generating revenue.

Opposition parties have been invited to comment on the proposal.

The Welsh government hopes that the devolved powers will encourage development, regeneration, and prevent dereliction in the region.

The announcement comes at a time when Welsh Labour is facing a significant challenge to maintain its power in the upcoming Senedd election in May.

Jo Stevens leaving Downing Street following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Jo Stevens explained the tax devolution plan to a committee of MPs on Wednesday

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan previously stated that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would be welcome to campaign in Wales if he brings "goodies," such as improved funding or devolution of powers.

The Welsh government is currently unable to introduce the tax without the UK government's agreement to devolve the necessary powers.

The tax would require approval from both the UK Parliament and the Welsh Senedd before it can be implemented.

Mark Drakeford was involved in the initial proposal for the tax in 2018, which was submitted to the UK government.

A formal submission was made two years later, but the then-finance secretary, Rebecca Evans, accused the Treasury of changing the requirements, leading to an impasse in discussions.

Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies expressed her delight at the decision to consult on the tax proposal.

However, she emphasized the need to consider the devolution of other areas, including rail infrastructure, youth justice, and the Crown Estate, which she believes are essential for Wales.

Davies sought the first minister's thoughts on these matters.

Jo Stevens, however, disagreed with the Welsh government on the devolution of the Crown Estate, citing concerns about market fragmentation and damage to investor confidence.

Stevens explained that the current system is working effectively and that introducing a new entity could complicate existing processes and delay development.

The Conservative shadow finance secretary in the Senedd, Sam Rowlands, expressed skepticism about the tax proposal.

Rowlands called for the government to provide clear data, impact assessments, and a timeline, rather than relying on "warm words" about swift progression.

He emphasized the need for concrete plans and transparent communication with the Welsh public.

A Green Party spokesperson argued that the taxation system for land and property in Wales requires a comprehensive overhaul, including the replacement of council tax and business rates with a land value tax.

The spokesperson welcomed the potential for new financial powers but stressed that the decision on the type of tax to implement should be made in Wales.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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