Dear Editor,

12.00.00am GMT Sat 5th Feb 2005

People should be aware that if either the Conservatives or Labour win the next election a double bombshell will mean Council Tax bills are set to soar.

The Government has funded a £1billion package for next year in order to keep bills below 5%, but this is a one off grant that will not be repeated necessitating rises of at least 7.5% the year after to maintain services.

In addition properties are due to be revalued during 2005/6. In this area house prices have risen over 200% since the last revaluation in 1991 compared to the national average of 160%. This means that many houses will end up in a higher band resulting in even higher council tax. People who have worked hard to improve their houses in recent years will also be hit hard. In Cardiff, where revaluation has taken place, 64% of houses ended up in a higher band.

Council tax has to be abolished and replaced with taxation based on the ability to pay - local income tax. The Conservatives who, under Michael Howard, introduced the tax have no plans to change the system - indeed Oliver Letwin has said he wants to double the money raised locally or, in other words, double Council Tax. The Labour party also have no plans to remove this iniquitous burden.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven