MP reveals 91% rise in Council Tax in 10 years - and calls for abolition

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jun 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron has revealed figures obtained by the Halifax Bank that show that the level of Council Tax for an average sized property across the country has almost doubled in the ten years since Labour came to power in 1997. The burden on homeowners has therefore increased massively, and the rise is more than three times the level of inflation.

The Liberal Democrats have long been campaigning to 'axe the tax', and replace the hugely unfair Council Tax system with a fairer local income tax, which would put less pressure on pensioners and those on low and middle incomes.

Tim Farron said:

"These figures are appalling, this rise has contributed to the massive increase in the gap between the rich and poor under this government. The Council Tax is extremely unfair.

"The level of Council Tax has risen by a massive 91% in South Lakeland, which has put huge pressure on those less able to pay, and the effect on the most wealthy in society will have barely been noticeable."