WESTCOUNTRY COUNCIL TAX UP AVERAGE 160%

3.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

Devon and Cornwall's Council Taxes have increased by an average 160% since the last Conservative Government introduced the tax in 1993, according to research by local Liberal Democrat MPs.

As the new Council Tax year starts today, Liberal Democrat campaigners across Devon and Cornwall are demanding the charge be scrapped in favour of a local income tax. Under their plans, those on low incomes - including many pensioners - would pay no local tax at all, saving those living in a Band D property an average of £1,409 this year.

Households across the country are seeing Council Tax rises well above inflation, as the Government once again squeezes local authority budgets. This year, Cornwall saw £17m of its grant clawed back by Ministers in an attempt to increase funding to Council in the South East of England. The funding reduction amounts to £70 for every Cornish household.

Commenting, North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson said:

"As ever, it is the poorest people in our communities who will feel the Council Tax pinch worst.

"Pensioners who've saved hard throughout their lifetimes are not entitled to relief on their bills, and can see Council Tax take 10% of their annual income away at a stroke.

"Infuriatingly, Cornwall could have seen a Council Tax cut this year if Ministers hadn't raided local coffers to the tune of £70 for every Cornish household."

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Julia Goldsworthy MP, added:

"Council Tax was a rotten idea when the Tories introduced it in the early 90s.

"Far from reforming a fundamentally flawed system, Labour Ministers have forced the charge from bad to worse. The Council Tax is now well past its sell-by date, yet senior Conservatives are united with the Government in its defence.

"People across the Westcountry now recognise that the only fair alternative is a local income tax based on the ability to pay."