SNP expose Labour's true council tax colours

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2009-06-22
Reports in the Herald newspaper suggest Glasgow’s Labour Council, led by Stephen Purcell, are planning a council tax increase of over £150 for Glasgow householders – with a revaluation of council tax bands.

A revaluation exercise in Wales saw Council Tax values for band D homes increase by 12.9%. 64% of council tax payers in Cardiff saw their council tax rise.

In contrast the SNP’s Local Income Tax proposal would see over 60% of people paying less local tax.

The revaluation proposal is part of the Glasgow Labour Council’s proposals to reform local taxation.

Condemning the move - which contrasts starkly with the SNP’s Government’s delivery of a council tax freeze - Glasgow SNP Councillor James Dornan, leader of the opposition on Glasgow Council said;

"Labour's proposals for a revaluation will see average council tax payers in Glasgow facing a £150 hike in their council tax bills while the rest of Scotland benefits from the SNP's council tax freeze.

"When properties were revalued in Cardiff 64% of people saw their council tax bills rocket. At a time of recession when families across Glasgow are feeling the pinch this report shows Stephen Purcell's real priorities are to upstage Iain Gray and put more money in the pocket of Labour Councillors instead of supporting hard pressed families.

"Under Labour’s revaluation in Wales Council tax bills for Band D properties in Cardiff shot up by over 12%. In Glasgow that would leave families facing bills of £1369.48.

"As for claiming a new property tax system would save householders money – this is ridiculous. Not only would the Local Income tax produce a better deal for householders, Labour are using pre-revaluation figures for their comparison when the report says revaluation should be part of immediate reform.

"Voters across Glasgow are increasingly scunnered with a council that is closing their schools and refusing to invest in more teachers or lower class sizes. With this tax plan announced in the middle of a recession Labour have truly abandoned Glasgow families."

Notes

1. Glasgow Labour's plans to reform taxation are published in today's Herald and can be found at http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2515509.0.City_floats_r...

2. Revaluation of Council Tax in Wales saw a third of bills increase.

3. In Cardiff, a relevant comparison to Glasgow 64% of houses saw council tax bills increase by 1 band or more (in rural Blaenau Gwent only 7% saw a change of 1 band of more)

4. In Cardiff a Band D property increased by 12.9% - A 12.9% increase on the current Glasgow Band D (£1213.00) would take it up to £1369.48 - an extra £156.48