7 December 2005

[start of press release]

  5% INCREASE IN 2006 COUNCIL TAX IS NOT ACCEPTABLE  

Christine Melsom, founder of the Isitfair council tax protest group, issued the following statement in response to the Government's announcement of local authority funding for next year.

"There appears to be a presumption in Government circles that an increase of 5% in next year's council tax is acceptable. They need to understand that an increase of double the rate of inflation is most definitely NOT acceptable.

"We are also concerned that there was no confirmation by the Chancellor that the £200 payment to pensioner households to help with council tax bills would continue to be paid next year.

"We have endured an inflation-busting increase in this iniquitous tax in every year since 1997, and we are now expected to rejoice that next year's increase will be 'only' 5%.

"Average council tax per dwelling in 1997 was £564. If council tax had risen at the rate of inflation since 1997, the average council tax bill in England would now be £708. But it's £1009, a massive hike of 79% since 1997. We will not sit back and accept further inflation-busting increases.

"For the past three years the Isitfair campaign has been arguing for council tax to be scrapped. The present system based on property value results in a disproportionately high tax on those least able to afford it, and it should be replaced by a tax based on everyone's ability to pay.

"On behalf of all Isitfair campaigners I would like to make it clear that the MAXIMUM acceptable increase in anyone's council tax bill from next year onwards is the rate of inflation, and not a penny more."

[end of press release]

For further press information, please contact: Christine Melsom on 01428-712680 or E-mail c@Isitfair.co.uk

Issued by Isitfair Campaign, Headley, Hampshire GU35 8PJ


NOTES TO EDITOR

Isitfair is a UK-wide, non party-political campaign for the abolition of the existing property-value based system of Council Tax, and for its replacement by a fairer system based on individual ability to pay. 

The campaign represents people of all age groups (not only pensioners) who are unfairly affected by Council Tax. 

Isitfair is endorsed by The Royal British Legion.

You can find more information about the Isitfair campaign at www.Isitfair.co.uk