Survey Backs Lib Dem Call To Scrap Council Tax

12.00.00am GMT Thu 8th Mar 2007

Vale Liberal Democrats have welcomed a survey commissioned by the BBC which shows that nearly two-thirds of people asked want to scrap Council Tax and replace it with a fairer charge based on income. Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a Local Income Tax for many years.

The survey of 840 people in England between 2nd and 4th March 2007 also revealed that 59% of those questioned said they thought Council Tax was unfair. 65% of those asked would support an increase in the number of Council tax 'bands' into which houses are divided to make the system more representative.

The survey demonstrates the unpopularity of Council Tax across the country. People on fixed and low incomes find themselves being charged more and more each year while higher earners will often see the amount they pay for local services falling relative to their household income. Liberal Democrats believe that this simply is not fair.

Vale Council Leader Jerry Patterson said: "Liberal Democrats have called for Council Tax to be replaced with a fairer local charge for years and there is no good reason why this should not be done. Unfortunately, the government is too timid to change the system while the Tories continue to support it. Forget posturing about the environment, on this 'bread and butter' issue for all residents, I'd like to see a little more courage on important local issues like this from the 'new' Tories - unless they haven't really changed after all.

Vale residents benefit from a very low charge as we have worked hard to maintain excellent services for less cost. However, even a small increase hits less well off residents hard, which is why the system needs to be scrapped.