Axe The Unfair Council Tax

1.57.13pm GMT Wed 7th Mar 2007

Local Lib Dems Campaigning To Axe The Unfair Council Tax

Ahead of tonight's Swale Council budget meeting which will set the Council Tax for next year, a poll has been published by the BBC which shows that 59% of adults believe the Council Tax is unfair, and 60% favour the Liberal Democrat policy of replacing it with a local income tax. http://tinyurl.com/2fgekl

Swale Borough Council will consider it's council tax increase at tonight's meeting of the full council. However, at least one Conservative has already determined the outcome. The Tory councillor for Grove ward has already claimed in a leaflet that the increase will be 3%, even before the council has met to consider it.

The Swale element of the tax is only a small part of the total. By far the largest element is set by the Conservative controlled Kent County Council. Indications are that the KCC element will rise by double the rate of inflation, and almost the maximum allowed under the capping rules.

Local Liberal Democrat Berick Tomes, "Lib Dems have said for years that the Council tax is unfair and deeply regressive. It hits pensioners and single income households particularly hard. A locally set income tax, based on the ability to pay, would be fairer and more accountable."

www.axethetax.org.uk

UPDATE: As expected, the rise agreed for the Swale Borough Council element of the Council Tax was 2.98%