Effect of Council Tax disastrous, say Dundee Liberal Democrats (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Effect of Council Tax disastrous, say Dundee Liberal Democrats

September 29, 2006 8:05 AM

Effect of Council Tax disastrous, says Michael Charlton

News that more than two million households are struggling to keep up with council tax bills has today (Friday 29th September) led to Dundee Liberal Democrats to call for the abolition of the tax and its replacement with a local income tax.

A study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation makes clear that people on low incomes are particularly badly hit as a larger percentage of their earnings is spent on payments and many people find it complicated to claim council tax benefits.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Local Government, Tom Brake MP said, "The results of this report come as no surprise. Council tax is the most unfair tax of all as it bears no relation to people's ability to pay. It should be scrapped and replaced with a local income tax."

Locally, Dundee Liberal Democrat local party secretary Michael Charlton said, "We in Dundee strongly support the Liberal Democrat proposals to abolish Council Tax and replace it with a local income tax, which is much fairer."