Latest data from the English Housing Survey reveals that there are 3.3 million second homes. Of that, the vast majority are rented out (69%).
A small portion are second homes which are due to be rented out or sold shortly (6%) and a very small slice are used by student children (just 1%).
Which means the remainder (24%) are used exclusively as a second home. Source: #Dataloft, English Housing Survey, data for 2021–2022