Tories challenged on Council Tax support

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Feb 2004

Davey: The poorest spend 7% of their income on council tax, but the richest pay 2%.

The Liberal Democrats have lambasted the Conservatives for their continued support for the unfair and unpopular Council Tax, which they introduced when last in Government. They have now been challenged to defend their description of the Council Tax, "as fair a tax as you will find".

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Local Government spokesman, has asked three questions of both other parties:

• "The poorest households pay 7% of their income on council tax, but the richest pay a mere 2%. Is that fair?"

• "If the Council Tax stays, and the re-banding of properties happens in 2007 as planned, those in Band C homes will pay up to 15% more, but those in the top grade of band H will not be affected. Is that fair?"

• "Councils don't get to choose which tax system they labour under, but both Labour and Conservative governments have been happy to devolve blame for Council Tax rates to local government. Is that fair?"

"The Tories don't see the evil of the Council Tax, despite numerous pensioner demonstrations against inflation busting increases. They will hear no criticism of it, because they introduced it. And they will not speak ill of it because they have no solution."

"Michael Howard's record in government was about unfair taxation, not low taxation. He showed his commitment to opportunity for all by inventing the two most unfair taxes Britain has ever seen - the Poll Tax and the Council Tax."

"The only indication of a fledgling Conservative policy is Oliver Letwin's (Tory Shadow Chancellor) statement that the Tories would increase the revenue councils raised locally and keep Council Tax. This implies they could actually be planning to double Council Tax."

"Council tax is flawed. It should be scrapped and replaced with a local Income Tax based on the ability to pay. It's the only fair solution."