Scrap Council Tax

Christine Melsom, founder of the Isitfair council tax protest group, issued the following statement in response to recent speculation concerning next year's council tax increase:

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.

Over recent months Isitfair campaigners have been treated in a draconian and vindictive manner, but the imposition of jail sentences has only served to strengthen the resolve of all protesters against this iniquitous tax. We are NOT asking for pensioners to be given special treatment - we want a fairer system for everyone, based on people's ability to pay instead of on property value.

Although some progress has been made and there is a broad political consensus that the present system is unsustainable, we are well aware that further above-inflation increases are on the cards for next year. Council tax has already risen by 121% since 1993 against inflation of 36% over the same period. Any further increase in excess of the rate of inflation is not acceptable.

We call on Government and all local councils to ensure that no-one has to pay an increase in their council tax bill that exceeds the rate of inflation. This should apply not only to next year's bill but also to all subsequent years until such time as the existing tax has been scrapped. They have buried their heads in the sand for too long, and must now put a stop to the relentless inflation-busting hikes in this tax.

The message from Isitfair campaigners across the U.K. is clear - the MAXIMUM acceptable increase in anyone's council tax bill from next year onwards is the rate of inflation, and not a penny more.