Readers Comment: I’m a pensioner. Since introduction my Council Tax has increased by 103%,my pension by 29%. Mine is the sole income,why should I pay the same as a family of 4 all working and living in a house in the same tax band;does only one of them receive help from the police, firebrigade, does only one of them create rubbish? No local (income) tax is the only fair answer but apart from Lib Dems is any other party prepared to talk about it. Bill Davies – Discuss
Thanks for comment Bill. It is interesting to see feedback from someone’s personal perspective. From my perspective the Council tax is unfair and poorly designed. It was rushed through with the idea that – anything other than the poll tax must be better. Well, it isn’t the poll tax, but, that is hardly an endorsement. Given how important local tax is and how much it effects people’s living standards, it is suprising that it makes so little impact on the current political scene. The only time we see it on the news is when some 90 year old is threatened with jail for non payment of council tax.
As a teacher, I would much rather that the government investigated and implemented a local income tax, rather than adding endless and unnecessary levels of bureaucracy for entirely fictitious educational objectives. It is rather ironic than Labour is traditionally seen as the party of fairness and supporting the marginalised groups. But, the council tax definitely increases inequality. The cost of council tax for many pensioners dwarfs any contribution from benefits such as a minimum income guarantee.