Results Of The Selected Poll

Question:

Which policy do you prefer on the Council Tax?

Our Opinion:

The Liberal Democrats propose complete abolition of the Council Tax. We believe that it is unfair, and should be replaced with a system based on your ability to pay. Labour's policy is a one-off payment to pensioner households of £200 to help with the Council Tax. The Conservatives propose a 50% rebate (up to £500) on existing Council Tax levels for pensioner households (those without any occupant under the age of 65). But their sums don't add up. They also plan to cut funding for local Councils by £2 billion. This would result in Council Tax rises of about £100 for every household! Neither the Conservatives or Labour address the inherent unfairness of the Council Tax system itself. In Britain today the poorest 20% pay more in tax, as a proportion of their income, than the richest 20%. Council Tax revaluation is due to start on 1st April. 7 million people in England will pay significantly more after revaluation, if the experience of revaluation in Wales is repeated. By completely abolishing the Council Tax, and replacing it with a local income tax, the Liberal Democrats would deliver a £450 a year tax cut for the average household (not just pensioner households) and exempt 56% of pensioners (6 million people) from paying any local taxes at all.

Your Opinion: