10-03-04

Axe the tax – Barrett

Speaking today during questions to the Deputy Prime Minister in the House of Commons, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, called for the government to scrap the Council Tax and replace it with a system based on ability to pay.

John Barrett asked:

"People on low incomes, like many pensioners, will always be hit hardest until the Government gets rid of the Council Tax and replaces it with a fair tax linked to income. How long does this government expect them to continue to suffer under this present unfair system?"

John Barrett added:

"There is growing evidence that replacing Council Tax with local income tax would not only reduce collection costs but would also end the suffering of many pensioners and those on low incomes. The only reason the government appears to be so hostile to this proposal is because it is a Liberal Democrat policy."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• A System Three Poll commissioned last month revealed that 77% of Scots agreed with the statement, 'The Council Tax is unfair as a means of funding local government spending and needs to be replaced with a system of local government taxation based on ability to pay'.