Council tax rises demonstrate what an unfair tax it is (Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats)

Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats <info@totneslibdems.org.uk>

Council tax rises demonstrate what an unfair tax it is

March 6, 2003 12:00 AM

The recent announcement of council tax rises of 18% by Devon County Council coupled with rises in the Police precept and District and Parish precepts have demonstrated yet again what an unfair tax this is. Totnes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven commenting on the situation said:

'I can quite understand the demonstrations by pensioners in particular against the huge rises this year. I would not condone breaking the law as a way of resolving the situation but I can see how frustrated people. The fact that in just 2 days X people have signed the petition produced by local pensioners to bring their plight to the attention of Central Government shows how deep the feelings run. Of course it is not only pensioners that suffer but a considerable number of working people in the low wage economy we have in this area. This clearly demonstrates that this system which bears no relationship to ability to pay, is unjust and a great burden on large sections of the community.' He continued:

'The root cause of the problem is the transfer of central government funds away from the South of England to the North and Midlands. No one in Whitehall seems to recognise that in many ways Devon is a deprived area with low wages and high transport and housing costs. In their alternative budget launched last week the Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate £100 reduction in everyone's council tax bill, with the long term aim of replacing council tax with local income tax - a tax based on ability to pay.