Dither and Delay Means More Years of Unfair Council Tax (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Dither and Delay Means More Years of Unfair Council Tax

July 20, 2004 2:00 PM

Following today's report to the Commons from the 15 month review of Local Government Finance, which failed to make any recommendations, Nicola Davies has once again called for the Council Tax to be axed. Nicola said "Council tax is deeply unfair and hits pensioners and those on low incomes hardest. Council Tax should be scrapped and replaced with a Local Income Tax."

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow to the ODPM, said "Floating ideas for extras council tax bands won't end the unfairness. With council tax revaluation and house price inflation, millions will see bills go through the roof under Labour's tinkering. Ministers have been forced to accept that Liberal Democrat ideas for a local income tax are worth closer analysis."

Mr Davey MP further said "After months of attacking local income tax, Prescott is tucking into humble pie. Today's delay and dither means more years of council tax and more years of unfairness and public protests. It's time Labour opted for fairness and heeded our call to scrap council tax altogether."