Plan to scrap council tax wins all-party support

A poll which shows voters across all political parties were more in favour of plans to scrap the council tax and replace it with a fairer local income tax was welcomed today by the SNP.

The TNS System three survey revealed 46% of those asked said they supported a local income tax and 22% were opposed.

John Swinney MSP, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, said the poll showed that Scots "put their trust" in the government's agenda.

He branded the council tax as "unfair" at a time when people are "under increasing pressure" from a rising cost of living.

He said: "The concerted campaign and unholy alliance of Labour and the Tories to keep the discredited council tax has been a monumental flop, even amongst their own voters.

"On average all family groups, particularly pensioners, would be better off, with only the top 10% paying more according to their ability to pay.

“With two Scottish Parliament votes in favour of ending the discredited council tax, public support for a fair local income tax outnumbering the council tax by two to one and supporters of Labour and the Tories backing a local income tax it is time for all parties to recognise the will of the Scottish people and support the government's popular policy which would deliver lower as well as fairer local tax.”

The survey interviewed 1,086 people across Scotland over one week last month.

Broken down by Holyrood voting intention, 40% of Labour supporters backed the replacement tax, 27% ruled it out and 33% were undecided.

Among Tory voters, 42% backed the idea, 29% opposed it and 29% were undecided.

Fifty one per cent of Liberal Democrat supporters supported local income tax while 20% opposed the proposal and 29% remained undecided.

SNP voters were most in favour at 58%, while 19% rejected it and 23% were undecided.

Notes:

Broken down by Holyrood voting intention the polling information is as follows (Y/N/DK):

Labour 40%/27%/33%

Lib Dem 51%/20%/29% SNP 58%/19%/23%

The TNS system Three poll interviewed 1086 people across Scotland between the 23rd and 29th April 2008.