Scrap Council Tax

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ISITFAIR COUNCIL TAX PROTEST GROUP
For further press information, please contact: Christine Melsom on 01428-712680 or E-mail c@isitfair.co.uk

13 March 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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ISITFAIR COUNCIL TAX PROTEST GROUP SAYS SEND YOUR BILL TO PRESCOTT

Christine Melsom, founder of the Isitfair council tax protest group, issued the following statement encouraging council tax payers to register their protest at the relentless tax increases.

"Local councils have now set their latest council tax charges which are expected to increase by an average of 4.5% from next month. Many councils have piled on the agony with announcements of cut-backs, closures and increased service charges despite hiking up the tax by roughly double the rate of inflation.

"We are also aware that some parish councils (which are not subject to capping) have this year announced massive increases in their precepts. Consequently council tax payers in these areas could be on the receiving end of hikes of over 7% in their overall bill - so much for the Government's pledge to cap any increase above 5% !

"Once again we've endured the annual exchange of hot air between Government and local councils with each blaming the other for the latest round of increases and reductions in services. After all their posturing it's council tax payers who are left to pick up the bill with an inflation-busting increase for the 13th successive year.

"Council tax was introduced in 1993 with average Band D in England set at £568 - in 2006 it will be £1268, a rise of 123%. Over the same period inflation was 39%. If Band D tax had risen in line with inflation since 1993 it would be £792 in 2006.

"The Government determines the majority of funding to local councils but would prefer to keep their heads down and accept no responsibility for this unacceptable state of affairs. If you want to protest about these relentless increases you can join Isitfair campaigners who will be sending a copy of their council tax bill to John Prescott, whose department is responsible for council tax policy and legislation, together with a suitable message.

"The April 2006 bills will be arriving soon. Make a protest - don't just accept the latest hike in this iniquitous tax!

"Everyone who feels aggrieved about the present system of council tax should take a copy of their bill, include an appropriate message such as "What percentage of YOUR income do you pay in council tax?" and send it to John Prescott on 30 March by first class post. Send the copy of your bill together with your comment to: Rt. Hon. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, Eland House, Bressenden Place, LONDON SW1E 5DU "

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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

2006/07 council tax estimate is based on survey figures published by CIPFA.

Inflation since 1993 is according to Retail Prices Index, comparing April 1993 (index value 140.6) with April 2006 (index value estimate 196.0) i.e. 39.4% increase.

Isitfair's own proposal for a replacement tax "Local Authority Funding - A Fairer Tax Raising System" can be found at http://www.isitfair.co.uk/downloads/IsitfairFairerTaxRaisingSystem2005.pdf

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 that is related to everyone's 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